nxcanh
Today we will learn the use of weak form in special cases. Each case will have examples for illustration.
1. For many weak form words, when they occur at the end of a sentence, the word “of” has the weak form [ əv ] in the following sentences:
– I am fond of chips / aɪ m`fɔnd əv `tʃɪps/. However, when it comes at the end of a sentence, it has a strong form [ ɔv ]
– Chips are what I am fond of [`tʃɪps ə `wɔt aɪ m `fɔnd ɔv ]
2. When the weak form word is being contrasted with another words:
– The letter is from him, not to him [ðə `letəz `frɔm ɪm, nɔt `tuːɪm]
A similar case is what we might call a coordinated use of prepositions:
– I travel to and from London a lot [ aɪ `trævl `tuː ən `frɔm lʌndən ə`lɔt ]
– A work of and about literature [ə `wɜːk ɔv ən ə`baʊt ` lɪtrɪtʃə ]
3. When a weak form work is given stress for the purpose of emphasis:
– You must give me more money [ jʊ `mʌst `gɪv mɪ `mɔː `mʌnɪ ]
4. When a weak form work is being sited or quoted:
– You shouldn’t put “and” at the end of a sentence [jʊ ʃʊdnt pʊt “ænd” ət ði ɛnd əv ə ˈsɛntəns ]
Another point to remember is that when weak form words whose spelling begin with( her , have ) occur at the beginning of a sentence, the pronunciation is with initial [ h ] even though this is usually omitted in other contexts.