List of common English words that have weak forms (used when the word is not

stressed):
a

//

Ive got a new dress.

am

/m/ /m/

Im not going home, am I?

an

/n/

Thats an apple

and

/nd/ /n/

We need some salt and pepper.

any

/n/

Do you have any money?

are

//

They are at school just now.

as

/z/

It was as big as an elephant.

at

/t/

She works at night.

be

/b/ /bi/

Hes going to be late.

been

/bn/

Have you been here long?

but

/bt/

The food is good but the service is terrible.

can

/kn/ /kn/

Can you come early?

could

/kd/

I think he could pass the exam.

do

/d/

Do you need any help?

does

/dz/

He doesnt live in London, does he?

for

/f/

Its a present for my dad.

from

/frm/

That books from Julia.

had

/hd/ /d/ /d/ I had a car when I was at university.

has

/hz/ /z/ /z/

have

/hv/ /v/ /v/ Ive had lunch already.

he

/h/ //

She thinks hes handsome.

her

// /h/

Tom told her that the meeting had been cancelled.

him

/m/

Ive bought him some chocolate.

his

/z/

Thats his last chance.

//

I wish I had gone to bed earlier.

me

/m/

John called me last night.

must

/mst/ /ms/

You really must take your umbrella.

of

/v/ /v/

Thats part of the problem.

He has been here for years.

2012 www.perfect-english-grammar.com
May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.

our

//

She dropped her coffee on our rug.

shall

/l/

Shall we go out for dinner?

she

//

I think shes gone to the library.

should

/d/

You really should get a haircut.

some

/sm/ /sm/

They bought some bread this morning.

than

/n/ /n/

This part of London is much busier than where I live.

the

//

Have you seen the front door keys?

them

/m/

We dropped them off at the airport.

there

// /r/

The restaurant is over there.

to

/t/

Are you going to the party tonight?

us

/s/ /s/

Lucy gave us one of her kittens.

was

/wz/

It was a beautiful day.

we

/w/

I wonder when we should leave.

were

/w/

They were late again!

who

/h/

Do you know who that girl is?

will

/wl/ /l/ /l/

Hell arrive later.

would

/wd/ /d/

If I were you, I would study a bit more.

you

/j/ /ju/

Do you like chocolate?

yours

/j/ /jr/

Is that your coat?

See www.perfect-english-grammar.com/english-listening.html to hear me saying the

example phrases.

2012 www.perfect-english-grammar.com
May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.