044 strong and weak forms in detail

Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

1

Strong and Weak forms In Detail
The following guidelines will help you choose whether a weak form or a strong form is
appropriate in a given context. Remember to refer back to the general rule and the list
of weak and strong forms provided in the set of notes.
Notice: The nucleus has been underlined in each example and is the last primary stress .!.. All
post-nuclear stresses are given a secondary stress mark .$.-

ARTICLES & DETERMINERS
Definite article ‘the’1
Strong Form:
1. Citation:
The strong form .Ch9.
is used for citation, although some speakers also use a strongly stressed
weak form .!C?. (Wells: 2008).
E.g.:
Let’s analyse the uses of ‘the’.
.!kdsr
!zm?k`Hy
C?
!it9rHy
?u
!Ch9.
2. Hesitation:
.Ch9.
can also be found when the speaker is fishing for words, i.e. before a hesitation or a
pause.
E.g:

Ben’s the... the... the manager.
.!admy
Ch9
{
Ch9
{
C?
!lzmHcY?.
3. Emphasis & particularisation:
The strong form .Ch9.
is also used to particularise. Its meaning could be paraphrased as ‘the
most outstanding,’ ‘the one and only’.
E.g.:

The pronunciation dictionary | is the tool for transcriptions.
.C?
oq?!mUmrh!dHRm<
$cHjR?mqh
{
Hy
!Ch9
$st9k
e?
$sqzm$rjqHoRm
Weak Form:
The weak form is the norm. There are two variants:
1. .Ch.
+ vowel sound
.Ch. is necessary before vowel sounds (be careful to distinguish between initial vowel sounds

and initial vowel letters).
E.g.:
The elephant and the ostrich |are the attractions in this park.
.Ch
!dkHe?ms
?m
Ch
!PrsqHsR
{
?
Ch
?!sqzjRmy
Hm
CHr
$o@9j.
The heir2 to this kingdom | is the ambassador of the Indies.
1

Wells (2008) explains that not all native speakers follow this rule, although he advices foreign learners to do so.
For example, many native speakers use the weak form .C?.
before a word that starts with a vowel, especially if
there is glottal reinforcement (i.e. hard attack). E.g.: Tell me the answer .!sdk
lh
C?
!>@9mr?.-


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

2

.Ch
!d?
s?
CHr
!jHMc?l
{
Hy
Ch
zl!azr?c?q
?u
Ch
!Hmchy.
The MP3 player’s dead.
.Ch
!dl
!oh9
!Sqh9
$okdH?q
Hy
$cdc.

2. .C?.
+ consonants/semivowels
.C?.
is necessary before consonants and semivowels. Be wary of the spelling!
E.g.:
This is the uniform2 we give the workers.
.CHr
Hy

C?
!it9mHeN9l
vh
$fHu
C?
$v29j?y.
The UK3 is famous | for the great economic power it has.
.C?
!it9
!jdH
Hy
!edHl?r
{
e?
C?
!fqdHs
!h9j?!mPlHj
!o`T?q
Hs
$gzy.


Indefinite articles ‘a’ and ‘an’
Strong Form:
The strong forms .dH. and .zm.
are extremely rare. They can be used, however, for citation, to
create contrast or in rhetorical speech.
E.g.:
A: She’s got two sons, right?
B: She’s got a son. (Contrast: a “means only one, not two”)

.Rhy
!fPs
!dH
rUm.
Do we use ‘a’ | or ‘an’ before the word herb? (Citation and contrast)
.c?
vh
!it9y
!dH
{
N9q
!zm
aH$eN9
C?
$v29c
$g29a.

Weak Form:
The weak form is the norm.
1.

‘A’ .?. before consonants.
E.g.:

A strange customer came this morning.
.?
!rsqdHmcY
!jUrs?l?
$jdHl
CHr

$lN9mHM.
A cat and a dog.
.?
!jzs
?m
?
!cPf.
A Euro2.
.?
!iT?q?T.

2.

‘An’ .?m. before vowels.
E.g.:

An old friend of mine
.?m
!?Tkc
!eqdmc
?u
$l`Hm.
An honourable2 cause.
.?m
!Pm?q?ak
!jN9y.
An X-ray2.
.?m
!djrqdH.

2

These examples illustrate that sometimes words begin in a vowel sound but not in a vowel letter or
vice versa.


‘Some’3
Strong Form:

Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

The strong form is used in the following situations:
1. Citation:
E.g.:
The word ‘some’ | can take a weak form.
.C?
!v29c
!rUl
{
j?m
!sdHj
?
!vh9jeN9l.
2. Stranded and/or pronominal:
E.g.:
A: More meat? I’ll put some on your plate.
.!lN9
!lh9s
{{
`Hk

!oTs
rUl
Pm
iN9
!okdHs.
B: Thank you. I’ve still got some.
.!SzMj
it
{{
`Hu
!rsHk
!fPs
rUl.
3. Contrast: As opposed to ‘others’ or to ‘all’.
E.g.:

Some of my students| might pass the exam.
.!rUl
?u
l`H
$rsit9cmsr
{
l`Hs
!o@9r
Ch
Hf!yzl.
I believe some models | are clever and learned.
.`H
aH!kh9u
!rUl

$lPcky
{
?
!jkdu?q
?m
!k29mHc.
Some varieties of English | are rhotic.
.!rUl
u?!q`H?shy
?u
!HMfkHR
{
?
!q?TsHj.

4. When it means ‘a considerable amount of’:
E.g.: I haven’t talked to her | for some years.
.`H
!gzums
!sN9js
st
?
{
e?
!rUl
!iH?y.
It’s been some time | since she moved to LA.
.Hsr
ah9m
!rUl

!s`Hl
{
rHmr
Rh
!lt9uc
st
!dk
!dH.
5. When it means ‘some… or other’ and it is followed by a singular countable noun.
E.g.:
Some day I’ll conquer her heart.
.!rUl
!cdH
{
`Hk
!jPMj?q
?
!g@9s.
Some student or other | has forgotten to finish this test.
.!rUl
!rsit9cms
N9q
$UC?
{
g?y
e?!fPsm
s?
!eHmHR
CHr
$sdrs.

6. When it is an ‘exclamatory some’, meaning ‘very remarkable’; it is followed by a
singular countable noun.
E.g.:
That was 'some 'kiss!

.Czs
v?y
!rUl
!jHr.
Some friend you turned out to be!
.!rUl
!eqdmc
it
$s29mc
$`Ts
s?
ah.
3

Wells’s Blog entry “Some” Wednesday 28 May 2008

3


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

4

Weak Form:
The weak form .r?l+

rl. is used before uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns.
E.g.:
I want some milk, please.
.`H
!vPms
rl
!lHkj
$okh9y.
I need some participants.
.`H
!mh9c
rl
o@9!sHrHo?msr.
Would you care for some more?
.vTcYt
!jd?
e?
rl
!lN9.
Wells provides this comparison:
He put some 'fruit on the pizza. (as well as cheese, ham etc.)
.gh
!oTs
rl
!eqt9s
Pm
C?
$oh9sr?.
He put ˈsome 'fruit on the pizza. (I can’t identify which/It was a remarkable fruit)
.gh

!oTs
!rUl
!eqt9s
Pm
C?
$oh9sr?.




AUXILIARIES & THE VERB ‘TO BE’
The verb ‘to be’
Attention!!!
The verb ‘to be’ is almost invariably weak, even in full affirmative sentences, regardless of
whether it functions as an auxiliary or a main verb.
The strong forms

am, are, be, was and were4 .zl+
@9+
ah9+
vPy+
v29. can be used for

emphasis, contrast, or citation as any other weak form. However, these forms can also be
used in other positions: they are obligatory when there is stranding, or when they occur in a
short yes-no question or a short answer, as they are loaded with the meaning of the
elements that have been elided. The strong form is optional in full yes-no questions without
expressing contrast.

Obligatory strong form:
1. Citation
E.g.: Is the verb was the correct answer?
.Hy
C?
!u29a
!vPy
C?
j?$qdjs
$@9mr?.

2. Contrast
E.g.: They were rich... ages ago!
.CdH
!v29
$qHsR
{{
!dHcYHy
?$f?T.
4

Caution: The strong form of the verb ‘were’ is pronounced .!v29. by the great majority of
speakers. Conversely, the form .!vd?.
is the pronunciation of the pronoun ‘where’, the verb
‘wear’ and the noun ‘ware’.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

5

3. Emphasis
E.g.:
These cupcakes are marvellous!
.Ch9y
!jUojdHjr
{
!@9
!l@9uk?r.
4. Stranding (complement movement)
E.g.:
To be | or not to be. (Emphasis-contrast and stranding.)
.s?
!ah9
{
N9
!mPs
s?
$ah9.
I don’t remember who they are, Mr. Reynolds.
.`H
!c?Tms
qH!ldla?
!gt9
CdH
!@9
$lHrs?
$qdm Guess how old I am now5.
.!fdr

g`T
!?Tkc
`H
zl
$m`T.
5. Short yes-no questions and short answers (the verb to be stands for the elements
that have been elided)
E.g.: A: The Smiths are murderers. B: Are they?
A: Yes, they are.
.C?
!rlHSr
?
!l29c?q?y.
.!@9
CdH.

.!idr
CdH
!@9.
A: My parents were doctors.
.l`H
!od?q?msr
v?
!cPjs?y.

B: Were they?
.!v29
CdH.

A: You are gorgeous!
.iN9
!fN9cY?r.


B: Am I? Yes, I am!
.!zl
`H
{{
!idr
`H
!zl.



A: My brother was a catholic. B: Was he?
.l`H
!aqUC?
v?y
?
!jzS?kHj.
.!vPy
h.



A: Yes, they were.
.!idr
CdH
!v29.

A: Yes, he was.
.!idr
h
!vPy.

Optional strong form:
1. Full yes-no questions
E.g.: Were they evaluated?
.v?
CdH
H!uzkitdHsHc.
.!v29
CdH
H!uzkitdHsHc.

Was Andrew against capitalism?
.v?y
!zmcqt9
?!fdmrs
!jzoHs?kHyl.
.!vPy
!zmcqt9
?!fdmrs
!jzoHs?kHyl.
Am I coordinating them?
.?l
`H
j?T!N9cHmdHsHM
C?l.

.!zl
`H
j?T!N9cHmdHsHM
C?l.

5

Stranding (i.e. the dislocation of the complement) cannot always be equated with placing the verb to
be in final position in the chunk. In this case this word is not final, but it is stranded anyway because the
following word is not its complement.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

6

Weak Form:
Weak forms are the norm. Remember, also, that regardless of whether the written text shows
a contraction or not, speakers normally choose the most reduced form.
1. Present tense:
a. ‘Am’ is .?l.. Its contraction ’m is .l..
E.g.: I am a cowardly person.
.`H
'?(l
?
!j`T?ckh
!o29rm<.
b.
E.g.:

‘Is’ is .Hy.. Its contraction ’s agrees invoice with the previous sound: .y.
after
voiced sounds, and .r.
after voiceless sounds.
Dave is here. Dave’s here.
.!cdHu
'H(y
$gH?.
It’s too much. (Cf. It is too much.)
.Hsr
!st9
!lUsR
{{
Hs
Hy
!st9
!lUsR.
The book’s missing. (C.f. The book is missing.)
.C?
!aTjr
$lHrHM
{{
C?
!aTj
Hy
$lHrHM.

c. ‘Are’ takes .?.. Linking .q. is inserted if the next word starts with a vowel.
Note that the contractions “you’re,” “we’re,” and “they’re” take a
special monosyllabic form .i

vH?. and .Cd?.
respectively.
My cousins are really young.
.l`H
!jUyHmy
?
!qH?kh
!iUM.

E.g.:

Pronoun and preposition are categories | not functions.
.!oq?Tm`Tm
?m
!oqdo?!yHRm<
?
!jzs?fqhy
{
!mPs
!eUMjRm
You’re a reliable guy. You are a reliable guy.
.iN9q
?
!qHk`H?ak<
!f`H.
They’re there with their Mayor. They are there with their Mayor.
.Cd?
!Cd?
vHC

Cd?
!ld?.
We’re weary after this weird journey. We’re weary after this weird journey.
.vH?
!vH?qh
!@9es?
CHr
!vH?c
!cY29mh.

2. Past tense
a.

6

‘Was’

is .v?y.. According to Windsor Lewis (1997)6, the form .vy.
is a
suitable target for the foreign learner, especially before consonants.

Retrieved from the blog “Weakform Words and Contractions for the Advanced EFL User”
/>

Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

E.g.:

7

Mary was anxious.
.!ld?qh
v?y
!zMjR?r.
The donkey was tired | but the monkey was full of energy.
.C?
!cPMjh
v?y
!s`H?c
{
a?s
C?
!lUMjh
v?y
!eTk
?u
!dm?cYh.

b.
E.g.:

‘Were’ is .v?.. Linking .q. is inserted if the next word starts with a vowel.
They were robbed | by kids that were carrying knives.
.CdH
v?
!qPac
{
a`H
!jHcy
C?s

v?
!jzqhHM
!m`Huy.

3. Past participle ‘been’: Some speakers make a distinction between .ah9m. for the
strong form and .aHm.
for the weak form. According to Wells (2008) the strong form
.ah9m.
is favoured by 92% of the speakers surveyed.
E.g.:
I’ve been working. (Weak)
.`Hu
aHm
!v29jHM
.
`Hu
ah9m
!v29jHM.
Where have you been? (Strong – stressed)
.!vd?q
?u
it
!ah9m.
!vd?q
?u
it
!aHm.

‘Can’
Strong Form:

1. Content word: If it means ‘to store things in a tin’ it functions as a main verb and, thus,
it is .!jzm.E.g.: I dislike canned tuna.
.`H
cHr!k`Hj
!jzmc
!sit9m?.

2. The strong form .jzm.of the auxiliary is used for:
a. citation
E.g.:
We use can| to express possibility.
.vh
!it9y
!jzm
{
st
Hj!roqdr
!oPr?!aHk?sh.

b. contrast
E.g.:
I can go| but I don’t want to.
.`H
!jzm
$f?T
{
a?s
`H
!c?Tms
!vPms

st9.

c. stranding
E.g.: I’ll finish this report | if I can.
.`Hk
!eHmHR
CHr
qH$oN9s
{
He
`H
!jzm.
d. negative: ‘can’t’ .!j@9ms.
& ‘cannot’ .!jzmPs+
!jzm?s.
E.g.:
I can’t stand your questions!
.`H
!j@9ms
!rszmc
iN9
!jvdrsRmy.
It can’t be true!
.Hs
!j@9ms
ah
!sqt9.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

8

We cannot dismiss this opportunity.
.vh
!jzmPs
cHr!lHr
CHr
!Po?!sit9m?sh.
e. short yes-no questions and short answers:
E.g.: A: Can we?
B: Yes you can.
.!jzm
vh.

.!idr
it
!jzm.
f. full yes-no questions: it can be either weak or strong
E.g.: Can you increase the speed of your computer?
.j?m
it
HM!jqh9r
C?
!roh9c
?u
iN9
j?l!oit9s?.
.!jzm
it

HM!jqh9r
C?
!roh9c
?u
iN9
j?l!oit9s?.

Can we leave, sir?
.j?m
vh
!kh9u
$r29
.
.!jzm
vh
!kh9u
$r29
.

Weak Form:
‘Can’ is normally weak in statements and in wh-questions. It is pronounced .jm. or sometimes
.j?m.
before vowels (Windsor Lewis, 1997).
E.g.:
We can purchase food.
.vh
jm
!o29sR?r
!et9c.
Where can Anthony go on holiday?

.!vd?
j?m
!zms?mh
!f?T
Pm
!gPk?cdH.




‘Have’
Strong Form:
The strong forms ‘have’ .gzu., ‘has’ .gzy. and ‘had’ .gzc. occur in the following cases:
1. citation
E.g.
The past tense of ‘have’ | is ‘had’.
.C?
!o@9rs
!sdmr
?u
!gzu
{
Hy
!gzc.

2. contrast
E.g.
I have tried| but it was useless. (‘have’ vs. ‘haven’t’)
.`H
!gzu

$sq`Hc
{
a?s
Hs
v?y
!it9rk?r.
3. obligation:
E.g.: I had to kill her.
.`H
!gzc
s?
!jHk
?.
4. causative use or misfortune:
E.g.: I had my hair dyed.
.`H
!gzc
l`H
!gd?
$c`Hc.
She’s had her house broken into.
.Rhy
!gzc
g?
!g`Tr
$aq?Tjm
$Hmst9.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

9

5. main verb: it is semantically loaded
E.g.: Francis has a puppy. (= possess)
.!eq@9mrHy
!gzy
?
!oUoh.
We can have a shower? (= take)
.vh
j?m
!gzu
?
!R`T?.
What about having some tea? (= drink)
.!vPs
?!a`Ts
!gzuHM
r?l
!sh9.
I’ll have a hamburger, please. (= eat)
.`Hk
!gzu
?
!gzla29f?
$okh9y.
6. short yes-no questions and answers
E.g.: A: Have you?
B: Yes I have.

.!gzu
it.

.!idr
`H
!gzu.
A: Has she?
.!gzy
Rh.



B: Yes she has.
.!idr
Rh
!gzy.

7. full yes-no questions: it can take either a strong or a weak form
E.g.: Have you finished?
.g?u
it
!eHmHRs.
.!gzu
it
!eHmHRs.
Had they left before you arrived?
.g?c
CdH
!kdes
aH!eN9

it
?!q`Huc.
.!gzc
CdH
!kdes
aH!eN9
it
?!q`Huc.

Weak Form:
‘Have,’ ‘has’ and ‘had’ are weak when they work as the auxiliary verb for the present and
past perfect tenses and for the possessive construction ‘have got’. Unless these words occur
after a pause, they can elide .g. (C.f.: “Have you left?” .g?u
it
!kdes. vs. “You have left”
.it
g?u
!kdes+
it
?u
!kdes+
itu
!kdes..)

1.

Have .'g(?u. ~ ’ve .u.
E.g.:

I have got some friends in Chicago.

.`H
'g?(u
!fPs
r?l
!eqdmcy
Hm
RH!j@9f?T.
We’ve never done it.
.vhu
!mdu?
!cUm
Hs.

2.

Has .'g(?y.
~ ’s (it takes .y. after voiced sounds and .r. after voiceless sounds)
E.g.:

She has seen them.
.Rh
'g(?y
!rh9m
C?l.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

Sheila’s divorced.
.!Rh9k?y

cH!uN9rs.
Pat’s done it.
.!lzsr
!cUm
Hs.
3.

Had .'g(?c.
~ ’d (.c., but .?c. after .s+
c.)
E.g.:

He had failed three times | before he finally got his licence .
.gh
'g(?c
!edHkc
!Sqh9
!s`Hly
{
aH!eN9q
h
!e`Hm?kh
!fPs
Hy
!k`Hrmr.
It’d been great | before the police arrived.
.Hs?c
aHm
!fqdHs
{

aH!eN9
C?
o?!kh9r
?$q`Huc.

4. Perfect modals reduce have to .?u.
as a rule:
E.g.
Susan must have left Harry.
.!rt9ym
!lUrs
?u
!kdes
!gzqh.
Harry can’t have left Susan.
.!gzqh
!j@9ms
?u
!kdes
!rt9ym.
I could have married her.
.`H
!jTc
?u
!lzqhc
?.
I shouldn’t have let her go.
.`H
!RTcms
?u

!kds
?
!f?T.
We would have been happy together.
.vh
!vTc
?u
aHm
!gzoh
s?$fdC?.







We might have had kids.
.vh
!l`Hs
?u
!gzc
!jHcy.

Do ~ Does
Strong Form:
The strong forms are used in the following cases:
1. citation
E.g.:
The right answer is ‘does’, not ‘makes’

.C?
!q`Hs
!@9mr?q
Hy
!cUy
{
!mPs
!ldHjr.

2. emphasis
E.g.:
They do look gorgeous.
.CdH
!ct9
!kTj
!fN9cY?r.
3. contrast
E.g.: She tried to behave like a lady before, | but now she does behave like one.
.Rh
!sq`Hc
s?
aH!gdHu
k`Hj
?
!kdHch
aH$eN9
{
a?s
!m`T
Rh

!cUy
aH!gdHu
k`Hj
$vUm.

10


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

4. short yes-no questions and answers
E.g.:
A: Do they?
.!ct9
CdH.



11

B: Yes they do
.!idr
CdH
!ct9.

5. semantically loaded: main verb meaning ‘to perform’.
E.g.:
After doing the washing, | don’t forget to do my homework, Mum.
.!@9es?
!ct9HM

C?
!vPRHM
{
!c?Tms
e?!fds
s?
!ct9
l`H
!g?Tlv29j
$lUl.
6. stranding
E.g.: I don’t know what to do, Peter!
.`H
!c?Tms
!m?T
!vPs
s?
!ct9
$oh9s?.
7. full yes-no questions: it can take either a strong or a weak form
E.g.:
Do you understand me?
.!ct9
it
!Umc?!rszmc
lh.
.c?
it
!Umc?!rszmc
lh.

Does Pamela ride horses?
.!cUy
!ozl?k?
!q`Hc
!gN9rHy.
.c?y
!ozl?k?
!q`Hc
!gN9rHy.

Weak Form:
The weak forms .c?y.
and .ct+
c?.
are the norm in wh-questions. Roach (2011) recommends
the form .c?.
before consonants and .ct.
before vowels.
E.g.
Why do you still date him?
.!v`H
c?
it
!rsHk
!cdHs
Hl
=
!v`H
cit
!rsHk

!cdHs
Hl
=
!v`H
cYt
!rsHk
!cdHs
Hl.
Where do Alice and Aaron live?
.!vd?
ct
!zkHr
?m
!zq?m
!kHu.
When does the aeroplane take off?
.!vdm
c?y
Ch
!d?q?okdHm
$sdHj
$Pe
.

Must
Strong Form:
The strong forms are used in the following cases:
1. citation
E.g.:
The modal “must” | is the best option in this case.

.C?
!l?Tck
!lUrs
{
Hy
C?
!adrs
!PoRm
Hm
CHr
$jdHr.

2. emphasis
E.g.:
We must meet soon.
.vh
!lUrs
$lh9s
$rt9m.
3. contrast
E.g.: I don’t care whether you want to do it | you must do it.
.`H
!c?Tms
!jd?
!vdC?
it
!vPms
s?
$ct9
Hs

{
it
!lUrs
$ct9
Hs.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

4. short yes-no questions and answers
E.g.:
A: Must I?
.!lUrs
`H.



12

B: Yes you must.
.!idr
it
!lUrs.

5. stranding
E.g.: I’m afraid you must, darling.
.`Hl
?!eqdHc
it
!lUrs

$c@9kHM.
6. full yes-no questions: it can take either a strong or a weak form
E.g.:
Must I return the novel myself?
.!lUrs
`H
qH!s29m
C?
!mPuk
l`H!rdke.
.l?rs
`H
qH!s29m
C?
!mPuk
l`H!rdke.
7. deduction: to show deduction in the present, the modal verb must is followed by the
main verb; to indicate deduction in the past, the perfect modal must have is used,
followed by the main verb.
E.g.:
You must be joking! (Are you really dating an 80-year-old man?)
.it
!lUr's(
ah
!cY?TjHM.
Jennifer must have left by now. (Her computer’s off).
.!cYdmHe?
!lUrs
?u
!kdes

a`H
$m`T.

Weak Form:
The weak form .l?rs.
is used to express obligation, provided there is no contrast, emphasis,
stranding or any of the reasons mentioned above.
E.g.:
I must be off now.
.`H
l?r's(
ah
!Pe
$m`T.
You must take good care |of this little dog of yours.
.it
l?r's(
!sdHj
!fTc
!jd?q
{
?u
CHr
!kHsk
!cPf
?u
$iN9y.

Could – Would – Should – Will
According to Ortíz Lira (2008)7 the weak forms of these words are not essential, as the strong

form can be used in any context. This is possible because their strong forms take either
.T.
'.jTc+
vTc+
RTc(
or .H.
'vHk(, which are sometimes members of the weak vowel system
together with .?.. However, some other authors do mention the use of strong and weak forms
with .?. or without a vowel.

Strong Form:
The strong forms are used in the following cases:
1. citation
E.g.: Can we use either ‘could’ | or ‘should’ here?


.j?m
vh
!it9y
!`HC?
!jTc
{
N9
!RTc
$gH?.

7

Ortíz Lira, H (2008). “The 37 essential weak form words”.

Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

13

2. Emphasis or contrast
E.g.: I don’t think I will help you| although I definitely could.
.`H
!c?Tms
!SHMj
`H
!vHk
$gdko
it
{
N9k!C?T
`H
!cdeHmHskh
!jTc.
3. short yes-no questions and answers
E.g.: A: Will they?
.!vHk
CdH.



B: Yes they will.
.!idr
CdH
!vHk.

4. stranding
E.g.: I don’t think you should.
.`H
!c?Tms
!SHmj
it
!RTc.
5. full yes-no questions: it can take either a strong or a weak form
E.g.: Will you push the door, please?
.!vHk
it
!oTR
C?
!cN9
$okh9y.
.v'?(k
it
!oTR
C?
!cN9
$okh9y.





Would you mind?
.!vTcYt
!l`Hmc.

.v?cYt
!l`Hmc.

6. semantically loaded: main verb meaning ‘to urge, to desire’.
E.g.: She was willing to travel.
.Rh
v?y
!vHkHM
s?
!sqzuk.

Weak Form:
The weak forms .j?c+
v?c+
R?c+
v'?(k.
are possible in affirmative sentences and whquestions. The auxiliary verb would can be contracted to ’d, whose pronunciation is .c.
but
.?c.
after .s.
or .c.
E.g.

Why will you go to Cambridge | instead of Oxford?
.!v`H
v'?(k
it
!f?T
s?
!jdHlaqHcY

{
Hm!rsdc
?u
!Pjre?c.
I will never forgive you.
.`H
'v?(k
!mdu?
e?!fHu
it.





Molly should move to the suburbs.
.!lPkh
R?c
!lt9u
s?
C?
!rUa29ay.
It’d be better to leave everything as is.
.Hs?c
ah
!ads?
s?
!kh9u
!duqhSHM
?y

!Hy.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

14

PRONOUNS & POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES
You – He – She – We – Me – Her – Us – Our – Their
Strong Form:
The strong forms of these words are used when they are cited, emphasized or contrasted.
They remain weak even before a pause because they cannot be stranded: as they do not
require a complement, they cannot be followed by a syntactic gap.
E.g.:

The pronouns ‘she’ and ‘we’| are subjective.
.C?
!oq?Tm`Tmy
!Rh9
?m
!vh9
{
?
r?acYdjsHu.
It was you who let the cat escape. (Emphasis)
.Hs
v?y
!it9
gt
$kds

C?
$jzs
H$rjdHo.
He wanted to get divorced, | but she didn’t. (Contrast)
.!gh9
!vPmsHc
s?
!fds
cH!uN9rs
{
a?s
!Rh9
!cHcms.
Are you talking to me | or to them? (Contrast)
.?
it
!sN9jHM
s?
!lh9
{
N9
s?
!Cdl.

Weak Form:
The weak form is the norm. Remember that the weak form is used even before a pause. Pay
special attention to the following features:
• The weak forms of he, him, her, his, himself and herself can elide .g. in any context
except when they occur after a pause. Relative who can also drop .g.-

E.g.: Tell him that you knew the judge who raped her | and then killed himself.
.!sdk
Hl
C?s
it
!mit9
C?
!cYUcY
t
$qdHos
?
{
?m
Cdm
!jHkc
Hl$rdke.

•

The words them and themselves usually elide schwa:
E.g.: We’d better stop them | before they hurt themselves.
.vhc
!ads?
!rsPo
Cl
{
aH!eN9
CdH
!g29s
Cl$rdkuy.

•

Wells (2008) says that the word our presents great variation. Some speakers use
.!`T?. as the strong form and the weak form; some other speakers only use
either one or the other. However, since smoothing of .`T?. to .@9.
is frequent, the
latter can be found in any context. What is more, if we stick to .@9.
the Spanish
transfer .!`v`. will not emerge.

•

The word their is normally .Cd?.. Some speakers have an occasional weak form only
when a vowel follows this word, but this is not obligatory.
E.g.: On their own
.Pm
Cd?q
!?Tm
~
Pm
C?q
!?Tm
=
Pm
Cq
!?Tm.

Examples:

Do you love me?
.cYt
!kUu
lh.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

15

Brian told his sister Chloe| that her daughter should tell me about her marks.
.!aq`H?m
!s?Tkc
Hy
!rHrs?
!jk?Th
{
C?s
?
!cN9s?
R?c
!sdk
lh
?!a`Ts
?
!l@9jr.
Will she tell them | that they can give us our tickets |before we leave?
.vk
Rh
!sdk

Cl
{
C?s
CdH
jm
!fHu
?r
@9
!sHjHsr
{
aH!eN9
vh
!kh9u.
The man who sold us this mobile phone | has lost his wallet.
.C?
!lzm
t
!r?Tkc
?r
CHr
!l?Ta`Hk
!e?Tm
{
g?y
!kPrs
Hy
!vPkHs.

CONJUNCTIONS
According to Windsor Lewis (1997) “these by their nature virtually never end sentences.

Beginning sentences they usually sound only slightly less fluent in their strongforms than in
their weakforms.” That is, the use of a strong form when a conjunction is the first word in a
chunk is possible, but stylistically marked.

‘And’
Strong Form:
The strong form .zmc.
is used for citation and when the speaker wants to express the
contrasting idea ‘not only but also’. Windsor Lewis states that the strong forms .zm.
or .zmc.
“are often used sentence initially but usually with a fairly marked deliberate or hesitant effect,
unless quickly uttered”.
E.g.:

The conjunction ‘and’ | expresses addition.
.C?
j?m!cYUMjRm
!zmc
{
Hj!roqdrHy
?!cHRm.
I am blond and smart.
.`Hl
!akPmc
!zm
!rl@9s.
‘And,’ he continued, | ‘you will be fired.’
.!zmc
gh
j?m$sHmit9c

{
itk
ah
!e`H?c.
And another thing,
.zm
?!mUC?
$SHM.

Weak Form:
The weak form is the norm. .?m. is normally used, regardless of the phonetic context.
E.g.:
Sarah and Mary love pop.
.!rd?q?
?m
!ld?qh
!kUu
!oPo.
I came in |and opened the drawer.
.`H
jdHl
Hm
{
?m
!?Tomc
C?
!cqN9.
The elision of schwa is frequent after the alveolar plosives .s+
c.+
the fricatives

'.e+
u+
S+
C+
r+
y+
R+
Y.
or even after a consonant cluster provided there are no nasals involved:
E.g.:
I want it in black and white.
.`H
!vPms
Hs
Hm
!akzj
mÿ
!v`Hs.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

16

Let’s go to Marks and Spencer’s.
.!kdsr
!f?T
s?
!l@9jr
m

!rodmr?y.






(C.f. We need to mend and sell them.)
.vh
!mh9c
s?
!ldmc
?m
!rdk
Cl.

‘But’
Strong Form:
The strong form .aUs.
is used for citation, or sentence initially to show a deliberate or hesitant
effect. Note that this is an adversative conjunction, which means that but is used to contrast
two elements (normally, two elements other than itself!). We use the weak form in these
cases. Very exceptionally, however, the contrast is placed on itself. In this case, a strong form
is necessary.
E.g.:
I’m going out with him tonight | and we’ll do everything but!
.`Hl
!f?THM
!`Ts
vHC

Hl
s?$m`Hs
{
?m
vhk
!ct9
!duqhSHM
!aUs.
No buts: | you do as you are told!
.!m?T
!aUsr
{
it
!ct9
?y
iN9
!s?Tkc.
I didn’t say but, | I said putt.
.`H
!cHcms
!rdH
!aUs
{
`H
!rdc
!oUs.
But, | what about the deposit?
.aUs
{
!vPs

?!a`Ts
C?
cH!oPyHs.

Weak Form:
The weak form .a?s.
is the norm.
E.g.:
We know he’s coming, | but when?
.vh
!m?T
hy
$jUlHM
{
a?s
!vdm.
I like her| but I don’t love her.
.`H
!k`Hj
?
{
a?s
`H
!c?Tms
!kUu
?.

‘That’
Strong Form:
The demonstrative ‘that’ (be it a pronoun or an adjective) is always used in the strong form

.Czs..
E.g.:
What’s that?
.!vPsr
!Czs.
What’s that thing?
.!vPsr
Czs
!SHM.
I think (that) that woman | is a spy.
.`H
!SHMj
'C?s(
!Czs
!vTl?m
{

Hy
?
!ro`H.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

17

Weak Form:
The conjunction ‘that’ .C?s.
has no strong form. It is used even when there is a pause
because the speaker is fishing for words. It is translated as ‘que’.

E.g.:

He said that she was sexy.
.gh
!rdc
C?s
Rh
v?y
!rdjrh.
I think that… it’s just crazy.
.`H
!SHMj
C?s
{
Hsr
cY?rs
!jqdHyh.

‘As’
Strong Form:
The strong form .zy.
is used when the word is cited, when it is stranded and many times
when it is found in sentence-initial phrases (Windsor Lewis, 1997).
E.g.:

What’s the difference between ‘as’ | and ‘ass’?
.!vPsr
C?
!cHeq?mr
aH!svh9m

!zy
{
?m
!zr.
Such as?
.!rUsR
!zy.
As a rule, |he never seems to be satisfied.
.!zy
?
!qt9k
{
gh
!mdu?
!rh9ly
s?
ah
!rzsHre`Hc.
As I say, | extremism is abhorrent.
.zy
!`H
$rdH
{
Hj!rsqh9lHyl
Hy
?a!gPq?ms.

Weak Form:
The word as – which can work as a conjunction, preposition or adverb – is normally weak .?y..
E.g.:

John is as tall as Toby.


.!cYPm
Hy
?y
!sN9k
?y
!s?Tah.
As I was saying | we should hire this model | as soon as possible.
.?y
!`H
v?y
$rdHHM
{
vh
R?c
!g`H?
CHr
$lPck
{
?y
!rt9m
?y
!oPr?ak.

‘Than’
Strong Form:
The strong form .Czm.
is used when the word is cited and when it is stranded. It is rare.

E.g.:

We need the conjunction ‘than’ | to form comparative structures.
.vh
!mh9c
C?
j?m!cYUmjRm
!Czm
{
s?
!eN9l
j?l!ozq?sHu
!rsqUjsR?y.
Who is Sean bigger than?
.gt
Hy
!RN9m
!aHf?
Czm.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

18

Weak Form:
The weak form .C'?(m. is the norm. It can drop schwa, especially before consonants.
E.g.:
English is easier than Spanish | because its grammar is much simpler.
.!HMfkHR

Hy
!h9yh?
Cm
!rozmHR
{
aH!jPy
Hsr
!fqzl?q
Hy
!lUsR
!rHlok?.
Californians | are more committed to politics | than southerners.
.!jzkH!eN9mh?my
{
?
!lN9
j?!lHsHc
s?
!oPkHsHjr
{
Cm
!rUCm?y.

EXISTENTIAL ‘THERE’
Weak Form:
The constructions that denote existence generally take weak .C?.
followed by the verb ‘to be’
in the weak form. It should not be confused with the adverb of place which is spelt identically
but is always pronounced .Cd?.. In these structures, the nucleus normally falls on the object to
which we are directing our attention.

E.g.:

There is a bug over there.
.C?y
?
!aUf
!?Tu?
$Cd?.
There’s a man waiting for you.
.C?y
?
!lzm
!vdHsHM
$eN9
it.
There are some books on the carpet.
.C?q
?
rl
!aTjr
Pm
C?
$j@9oHs.
There were loads of demonstrators in the streets.
.C?
v?
!k?Tcy
?u
!cdl?mrsqdHs?y
Hm

C?
$rsqh9sr.

When there is in final position in interrogative sentences, either the weak or the strong forms
are possible (Roach:2009)
E.g.:

Is there?
.!Hy
C?
~
!Hy
$Cd?.
How many guests were there?
.!g`T
!ldmh
!fdrsr
v?
C?
~ !g`T
!ldmh
!fdrsr
v?
$Cd?.

In negative constructions, the word there remains weak, while the operator is used in the
strong form.
E.g.:

There aren’t any seats free.

.C?q
!@9ms
dmh
!rh9sr
$eqh9.
There isn’t a doctor in the ward.
.C?q
!Hyms
?
!cPjs?q
Hm
C?
$vN9c.
There wasn’t a teacher in the classroom.
.C?
!vPyms
?
!sh9sR?q
Hm
C?
$jk@9rqt9l.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

19

PREPOSITIONS
At – For – From – Of – To
The words in this group behave in a similar way, so they are grouped together here.

Strong Form:
The strong forms .zs+
eN9+
eqPl+
Pu+
st9.
can be used under the following circumstances:
1. Citation
E.g.:
The prepositions at, | for, | from, | of | and to |are normally weak.
.C?
!oqdo?!yHRmy
!zs
{
!eN9
{
!eqPl
{
!Pu
{
?m
!st9
{
?
!mN9l?kh
!vh9j.
2. Stranding
E.g.:
What are you looking at, Sweetie?

.!vPs
?
it
!kTjHM
zs
$rvh9sh.
What is this made of?
.!vPs
Hy
CHr
!ldHc
Pu.
Where do you come from?
.!vd?
cYt
!jUl
eqPl.
Whoever you’re writing to | is a very lucky person.
.!gt9du?
iN9
!q`HsHM
st9
{
Hy
?
!udqh
!kUjh
!o29rm.
What I’m waiting for is a secret?
.!vPs

`Hl
!vdHsHM
eN9
{
Hy
?
!rh9jq?s.

3. Buttressing
This is the optional strengthening of a preposition so as to avoid stressing a pronoun. If a
pronoun is stressed, then it is made contrastive. Remember that the nucleus is not placed on
the preposition, but on the last lexical item as usual. Buttressing is more likely to occur if there
are unstressed syllables between the strong syllables.
E.g.:
Why are you shouting at me?
.!v`H
?
it
!R`TsHM
$zs
lh
~
!v`H
?
it
!R`TsHM
?s
lh.
Would you like a portion of it?
.vTcYt

!k`Hj
?
!oN9Rm
$Pu

Hs
~ vTcYt
!k`Hj
?
!oN9Rm
?u

Hs.
Snatch it from them.
.!rmzsR
Hs
$eqPl
Cl
~ !rmzsR
Hs
eq?l
Cl.
Send it to him.
.!rdmc
Hs
$st9
gHl
~
!rdmc
Hs

s?
gHl.
Are you waiting for us?
.?
it
!vdHsHM
$eN9q
?r
~ ?
it
!vdHsHM
e?q
?r.


Prof. Francisco Zabala – 2014

20

4. Coordinated prepositions
E.g.:
Ian | loves travelling to | and from work.
.!h9?m
{!kUuy
!sqzukHM
!st9
{
?m
!eqPl
!v29j.

Our forefathers |worked for | and with the common people.
.@9
!eN9e@9C?y
{
!v29js
!eN9
{
?m
!vHC
C?
$jPl?m
$oh9ok.
5. According to Windsor Lewis (1997), “sentence-initial prepositions in particular are
often stressed not to emphasize them but to raise the level of animation of the whole
phrase.
E.g.:

At the moment, | I am on the computer.
.!zs
C?
!l?Tl?ms
~
?s
C?
!l?Tl?ms
{
`Hl
!Pm
C?
j?l!oit9s?.

For the present, |we’ll leave it as is.
.!eN9
C?
!oqdyms
~
e?
C?
!oqdyms
{
vhk
!kh9u
Hs
?y
!Hy.
From a distance, | you can see the city skyline.
.!eqPl
?
!cHrs?mr
~
eq?l
?
!cHrs?mr
{
it
j?m
!rh9
C?
!rHsh
!rj`Hk`Hm.

Weak Form:
The weak forms .?s+
eq?l+
e?+
?u+
s?+
st9. are the norm. From elides schwa easily, especially
when a consonant follows. For can elide schwa when linking .q. is at play. The word to takes
.?.
before consonants and semivowels and .t. before vowels.
E.g.:
Sarah and Sara | work for a small company| from Asia.
.!rd?q?
?m
!r@9q?
{
!v29j
eq
?
!rlN9k
!jUlo?mh
{
eq?l
!dHY?.
At weekends, | our family loves going to a local pub | for a drink.
.?s
vh9j!dmcy
{
@9
!ezlkh

!kUuy
!f?THM
st
?
!k?Tjk
!oUa
{
eq
?
!cqHMj.
Do you want to go to Edinburgh| or to Warwik?
.cYt
!vPms
s?
f?
st
!dcHlaq?
{
N9
s?
!vPqHj.

REFERENCES:
th

Jones, D. (2011). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary. (18 ed.) Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Ortíz Lira, H. (2008). “The 37 essential weak form words”. Retrieved from
/>th
Roach, P. (2009). English Phonetics and Phonology. A practical course. (4 ed.) Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press.
rd
Wells, J.C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3 ed.). Hong Kong: Longman.
Wells, J.C. (May 28, 2008). John Wells's Phonetic Blog. “Some”. Retrieved December 20, 2011, from
/>Windsor Lewis, J. (1997). Weak form Words and Contractions for the Advanced EFL User. In The Home
"Page"
of
Jack
Windsor
Lewis.
Retrieved
December
29,
2011,
from
/>