Speaking: Pronunciation A2
Basic Sentence Rhythm
Listen to the examples here.
The Two Types of Words 🎵
English sentences have a "beat" or rhythm. We don't say every word with the same power. The secret is knowing the difference between Content Words (strong words) and Function Words (weak words).
- Nouns: cat, house, tea-cher
- Main Verbs: eat, stu-dy, work
- Adjectives: big, hap-py, red
- Adverbs: slow-ly, al-ways
- Articles: a, an, the
- Prepositions: in, at, to, for
- Pronouns: he, she, it, they
- Auxiliary Verbs: is, am, can, do
- Conjunctions: and, but, or
Hearing the Beat
The rhythm comes from stressing the content words and weakening the function words. Listen to the example below. Notice how the bold words are louder and longer.
Tips for a Natural Rhythm
🗣️ Reducing Function Words
To keep a regular beat, native speakers often "reduce" or "squash" the vowel sounds in function words so they become very short and quiet (often using the 'schwa' /ə/ sound, like the 'a' in 'about').
- The word to often sounds like /tə/. (e.g., I need tə go. )
- The word a often sounds like /ə/. (e.g., I bought ə book. )
- The word can (when unstressed) often sounds like /kən/. (e.g., I kən help you. )
- The word for often sounds like /fər/. (e.g., This is fər you. )
Don't worry too much about making these sounds perfectly now, just be aware that function words are often weak and fast.
Practice the Rhythm 🎯
Activity 1: Find the Stressed Words (Self-Check)
Read the sentences. Think about which words carry the main meaning (content words). Click "Show Stressed Words" to check your answers.
- She is a teacher at a good school.
Show Stressed Words
Stressed: She, tea-cher, good, school (Note: 'She' is stressed here because it's the subject and important.)
- I want to drink a cup of coffee.
Show Stressed Words
Stressed: want, drink, cup, cof-fee (Note: 'I' might be unstressed here unless you are emphasizing you want it.)
- He can speak Eng-lish well.
Show Stressed Words
Stressed: speak, Eng-lish, well (Note: 'can' is usually unstressed /kən/, unless you're emphasizing ability: "He CAN speak English.")
Activity 2: Clap the Rhythm
Read these sentences aloud. Clap your hands ONLY on the stressed (bold/uppercase) words to feel the rhythm. Click 🔊 to listen first.
- I LIKE your NEW SHIRT. (clap, clap, clap)
- We WANT tə GO tə the MAR-ket. (clap, clap, clap)
- She WORKS in a BIG OF-fice. (clap, clap, clap)
Vocabulary
- Sentence Rhythm The "beat" or "music" of a sentence, created by stressing some words more than others.
- Content Word An important word that carries meaning (nouns, main verbs, adjectives, adverbs). These are usually stressed.
- Function Word A small grammar word that connects content words (articles, prepositions, pronouns, auxiliary verbs). These are usually unstressed and sometimes reduced.
- Stress Making a syllable or word stronger, louder, and slightly longer.
- Intonation The rise and fall of the voice when speaking (the 'music').
- Reduce / Reduction Making the sound of an unstressed word shorter and weaker (often using the schwa /ə/ sound).
Your Pronunciation Mission ⭐
This week, your mission is to listen for the music of English everywhere.
- Listen to short English sentences (maybe from a movie, song, or the audio player above).
- Try to tap your finger on the stressed words you hear.
- Practice saying the sentences from Activity 2, focusing on making the content words strong and the function words weak and fast. Record yourself if you can!