3.5: Reduced Words
Watch the Video
Elemental English: De-Stressed Function Words
Commonly Reduced Function Words
Listen to each of the function words and the example sentences in the table below. Practice saying the sentences with a partner. Reduced Words Examples.m4a
| Word | What it sounds like | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| to | /tə/ | You should talk to Charlie. |
| for | /fər/ | I had eggs for breakfast. |
| at | /ət/ | I'll see you at school. |
| and | /ən/ /ɪn/ /n/ | I'll have the soup and sandwich, please. |
| or | /ər/ | Tea or coffee? |
| you | /yə/ | Do you like it? |
| him/her | /əm/ /ər/ | I called him last night. / I called her last night. |
| have | /əv/ /ə/ | Where have you been? |
| can | /kən/ | I can sing. Can you? |
| do | /də/ | What do you want? |
| as | /əz/ | Light as a feather, stiff as a board. |
| of | /ev/ /ə/* | I'd like a cup of tea, please. / He gave me a box of apples. |
*Note: /əv/ is often used before a word that starts with a vowel sound (example: All /əv/ our friends were there. /ə/ is often used before a consonant sound: (Example: There were a lot /ə/ people.)
Listening Practice: Reduced Function Words
Read the sentences below. One of the function words is missing in each sentence. Listen to the recording, and write the missing function word. Listening Practice - Reduced Function Words.m4a
Listening: Function Words and Andy's Job
Listen to the recording from Unit 2. Complete the paragraph about Andy with the missing function words. Notice how the function words are reduced. They might be a little difficult to hear. Summary - Andy's job.m4a
When you're finished, look at the transcript from your Unit 2 recording to check your answers.
Drop the "h"
Watch the Video: Elemental English - "h" deletion with connected speech
Rules to Remember
When structure words such as her, he, him, his, have, has or had occur in the middle of a phrase, the h sound is often dropped.
Examples:
- What did he do? . . . sounds like . . . What didee do?
- Will he call me? . . . sounds like . . . Willy call me?
Note: You do not need to drop the "h" for others to understand you. However, many native speakers often drop the "h" so understanding that the "h" is often dropped will help you with your listening skills.
Practice
- Cross out the "h" and draw a line linking the vowel sound of the h word with the previous word. Then rewrite the sentence the way it sounds.
- Practice reading the sentences. Remember to drop the "h" and link the vowel sound to the previous word. When you're ready, record yourself reading each of the sentences.
Example:
Sen
d
h
er an application. = Sender an application.
- Say goodbye before he leaves. = ___________________________________
- What did he get her for her birthday? = ___________________________________
- She has a lot to do today. = ___________________________________
- Take him out for a walk before dinner. = ___________________________________
- You'll have a lot of friends there. =___________________________________
- He danced his heart out tonight. = ___________________________________
Watch the Video: How to link words that begin with H - Rachel's English
Listening Practice: Drop the "h"
Listen to the speaker read each of the sentences. Complete each sentence with the missing words. There are two words missing from each sentence. Listening Practice - Drop the H.m4a
Can vs Can't
Watch the Video: Elemental English - Can vs. Can't
Rules to Remember: Can vs Can't
What's the difference between the pronunciation of "can" and "can't? Listen to the sentences below.
- Lauren can make toothpaste. I can't make toothpaste.
- Andy can grow vegetables. I can't grow vegetables.
The word "can" is usually reduced. That means you say it with a schwa /ə/ (/kən/). The word "c an’t" is usually said with a clear /æ/ sound like in "apple" or "answer".
Listening Practice 1: Can vs Can't
Listen to the person talking about videos you've seen this semester. Is she saying "can" or "can't"? Underline the word you hear. Listening Practice 1 Can vs Can't.m4a
Example: Lauren ( can /can't) make toothpaste.
- In Berlin, you (can/can't) try curry wurst. It's delicious!
- You (can/can't) come to Berlin, and not try a curry wurst.
- You (can/can't) use peppermint or cinnamon flavor in your toothpaste recipe.
- You (can/can't) use whatever you want to stir the toothpaste.
- (Can/Can't) you reduce the amount of trash you make?
- Andy loves to grow vegetables. He (can/can't) grow any vegetables you want.
Compare your answers with a partner and then check them with the class.
Listening Practice 2: Can vs Can't
Listen to more sentences. Do you hear "can" or "can't"? Underline the word you hear. Listening Practice 2 Can vs Can't.m4a
- We (can/can't) help them, but we (can/can't) do it for them.
- We (can/can't) eat food in the classroom.
- Students (can/can't) turn in assignments early, but they (can/can't) turn them in late.
- (Can/ Can't) you show it to me?
- I (can/can't) do it.
- I (can/can't) understand.
- Question: (Can/Can't) you help later? Answer: I (can/can't).
- Question: (Can/Can't) you come to the party? Answer: I (can/can't).
- She (can/can't) see him.
- He (can/can't) see her.
- I don't know where you came from, but you (can/can't) stay here.
- We (can/can't) go.
- I (can/can't) be there by twelve.
- I (can/can't) make it on Saturday, but I (can/can't) go on Sunday.
- He (can/can't) understand what I'm saying.
- She (can/can't) wear a size small.
- You (can/can't) have all the dessert you want.
- They (can/can't) do it.
Speaking Practice: Can vs Can't
Find someone who can or can't do the following things. Walk around and ask your classmates: "Can you . . .?" Write their names on teh lines below and underline "can" or "can't."
Example:
- Q: Can you play the guitar?
- A: Yes, I can.
___ Andy____ ( can /can't) play the guitar.
Interview your classmates
- ____________ (can/can't) play the guitar.
- ____________ (can/can't) cook.
- ____________ (can/can't) ride a horse.
- ____________ (can/can't) tap dance.
- ____________ (can/can't) sing.
- ____________ (can/can't) fly an airplane.
- ____________ (can/can't) eat spicy food.
- ____________ (can/can't) swim.
- ____________ (can/can't) run fast.
- ____________ (can/can't) sew.
Share what you learned
What did you learn about your classmates? Share you answers with the class?
Example:
I learned that Andy can play the guitar, but Brittany can't sew.
Review: Reduced Words
Listen to the recording. Complete the sentences with the missing words. Review Reduced Words.m4a
- It's super quick ________ easy _______ make.
- Combine two tablespoons _________ coconut oil, one tablespoon ________ baking soda, ________ fifteen to twenty drops ________ essential oil.
- I like ________ use peppermint, ________ you ________ use cinnamon ________ spearmint.
- I like to use ________ compostable toothbrush ________ a spoon.
- If it's too hard, put ________ under some warm water ________ ________ few minutes.
Recording: Reduced Words
- Read the sentences below. Underline the function words.
- Listen to these sentences. Then practice reading the sentences out loud.
- When you're ready, record yourself reading each sentence. Remember to stress the content words and reduce the function words.
Transcript
- It’s sup er quick and eas y to make.
- Com bine two ta blespoons of co conut o il, one ta blespoon of bak ing so da, and fif teen to twe nty drops of es sen tial o il.
- I like to use pe ppermint, but you can use cin namon or s pear mint.
- I like to use a com pos table tooth brush and a spoon .
- If it’s too hard , put it un der some warm wa ter for a few min utes.