The 37 essential weak-form words

One of the topics included in the syllabus is the use of weak and strong forms. It is
important that we get acquainted with their use, as they are an essential aspect of
English pronunciation. To do this, we will do the following activities.

A- Download the article by Ortiz Lira. You can download it from Pages in Haiku or
from this link:

https://www.pdffiller.com/jsfiller-
app12/?lang=es&projectId=439106070&jsfiller_preauth_hash=#eb56e77954bb4181a08fa8e4f
083c680

B- Watch the following video which presents a general introduction to the topic.

https://youtu.be/XCmSRpK1qHU

C- Read the article. Use dictionaries to look up words you don’t understand. If you
don’t have a dictionary, you can visit these links:

Longman Dictionary Online: https://www.ldoceonline.com/

Merrian Webster https://www.merriam-webster.com/

www.wordreference.com

D- Answer the questionnaire

1. Complete the definition using the appropriate words.

Gradation is an ……………………..feature of English ……………………………

It is a process of ……………changes, in which ……………….syllables are

………………………or………………………to produce the……………….. pattern of
English.

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2. Words can be classified into two big groups. Can you complete the diagram with the
grammatical categories?

• NOUNS
Content words • ............................................................
• ............................................................
(they carry meaning and usually
receive greater prominence and • ............................................................
are thus accented)

• Pronouns
Structure words • ..............................................................
(they express grammatical • ..............................................................
relationships, they are generally • ..............................................................
non-prominent and are thus not • ..............................................................
accented)

3. Different factors affect whether a structure word is weak or strong.

a. Complete the diagram.

Phonetic
Accent Stranding
environment

• If a structure word is • It affects only some • It affects some

accented then it is structure words and structure words:
.................... helps to determine which ........................ and
• This factor affects weak form to use: ......................
..........structure words •..............................
• .............................

b. Analyse these examples and write which factor is involved.

…………………………………
- I need to go to the /ði/ airport now, but I can’t find the /ð/car keys.
..

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 …………………………….
- Are you talking to me /mi:/ or to him //?
.

- A: What are you looking for? /f:/ …………………………….

B: I’m looking for /f/ my keys. .

- A: Are you sure you can do it? …………………………….

B: Yes, I ¬am. /æm/ .

…………………………….
- 'Where you are /is not 'who you are / .

4. The rule states that negative contracted auxiliary verbs are always strong. Use the
pronunciation dictionary and write the transcription for each auxiliary verb.

isn’t /……………………………../
aren’t /……………………………../
wasn’t /……………………………../
weren’t /……………………………../
doesn’t /……………………………../
don’t /……………………………../
won’t /……………………………../
can’t /……………………………../
mustn’t /……………………………../
couldn’t /……………………………../
wouldn’t /……………………………../
shouldn’t /……………………………../
hasn’t /……………………………../
haven’t /……………………………../

If a syllable is stressed it can´t contain /

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5. THAT

THAT is pronounced differently depending on its function. Let’s see these examples:

In the phrase “Then a voice comes to me that

says Forget it! I hate questions like that
!”:

- the weak form  is used with the

function of ………………………………………
- The strong form  is used with the
function of ……………………………………….

6. Extra rules

a. Verb to be

Let´s see these examples in which the verb “to be” is used. Match the example and the
explanation.

 How hard can it be to stay
home?
 The exams will be on Friday
afternoon
 Everything will be so different.
a. It is weak because the verb “to be” is
generally used in the weak form.
b. It is strong because it is exposed or
stranded.
c. It is strong because it means “to take
place”

Find 3 examples from the texts in Units 1, 2 and 3. Transcribe “be” and justify your choice.

 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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b. “Who” interrogative pronoun vs “who” relative pronoun

This meme shows two uses of “WHO”, as an interrogative pronoun or as a relative pronoun.

As an interrogative pronoun “who” is

strong, so we say 

As a relative pronoun, “who” is

weak, so we say 

Transcribe “who” in these examples and justify your choices:

 Have you met the new student who comes from Austria?
 I wonder who can help me download this app.

c. “Must” obligation vs “must” logical conclusion

These phrases are taken from Harry Potter films. They show two uses of “must”:

- in the phrase “You must be a Weasley”, it is strong because it means logical
conclusion,
- in the example “I must /not tell lies”, it is weak with the meaning of obligation.

Provide 2 examples in which you use “must” with these meanings. Transcribe must.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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d. “Have” “have to”

In the texts we have dealt with we came across different uses of “have”, let’s reflect on how
they are used:

- All the family has to move to the US (U. 1)

Explanation: with the meaning of obligation “have to-has to-had to” is always strong

- We’ve had enough for today (U. 1)

Explanation: as an auxiliary verb “have” is generally weak and it’s transcribed
or In the case of “had” as it is the main verb in the sentence the strong
form is preferred.

- Why don’t we have /dinner instead? (U. 2)

Explanation: with the meaning of “comer-beber” it is always strong.

- We’ve never heard such an excellent compliment, ¬have we? (U. 3)

Explanation: in this case it is strong because it is accented.

- Having /tea from about 4 pm t 6 pm has become an English tradition. (U. 3)

Explanation: it is strong because it is the main verb

To summarize, read the information and complete the following rules:

 The weak forms of auxiliary verb “has” are:

/ ............/ in initial position or after a pause
/............./ not in initial position or after a vowel, usually after 
 /............./ after a vowel
/............./ after 
 The …………………………… form is used when it is stranded and/or accented.

E. Round-up activity

Read the following cartoon. Identify the structure words. Transcribe them.
#challenge Explain why you have used the weak or strong form.

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Source: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_799717

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