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SOUND CHANGESShortening: Weak and Strong Forms

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Some words have two pronunciation forms:

The weak form is the usual pronunciation – it is used when the word is unstressed; The vowel is simplified (in most cases) to ə or ɪ.

The strong form is used only when the word is stressed – e.g. when it’s the last word;

Which words have strong and weak forms?

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When do weak forms become strong?

1. At the end of the sentence:

2. In negatives:

3. When the auxiliary or modal verb substitutes the main verb:

4. When we want to emphasise:

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