Weak Forms
Function words reduced in speech.
Examples
- can /kən/, to /tə/
Key rules
- Function words such as can, to, a and and are often pronounced in a reduced form when unstressed
- The strong form is used when the word is stressed or at the end of a sentence
- Weak forms make speech flow more smoothly
Common mistakes
- can pronounced strongly /kæn/ in I can go → Say /kən/ in I can go, but /kæn/ in Yes, I can
- to pronounced /tuː/ → Say /tə/ in I want to go
Use cases
- Natural speaking
- Listening comprehension
- Reading aloud
💡 Tip: Practise by listening for the reduced vowel in short function words, then copy it.