9. insult (Verb) 18. subject (Noun)

Tape Unit 12. Weak forms.

Words occurring in their weak forms are printed in smaller type than stressed words and strong forms, e.g. 'We can wait'. ['wi: kən 'weit]

Exercise 1. Sentences for repetition.

Listen and repeat:

We can 'wait for the 'bus. [wi kən 'weit fə ðə 'b/\s]

'How do the 'lights 'work? ['hau də ðə 'laits 'wə:k]

There are some 'new 'books I must 'read. [ðər ə səm 'nju: 'buks ai məs 'ri:d]

She 'took her 'aunt for a 'drive. [i 'tuk ər 'a:nt fər ə 'draiv]

The 'basket was 'full of 'things to eat. [ðə 'ba:skit wəz 'ful əv 'θiŋz tu 'i:t]

'Why should a 'man 'earn 'more than a 'woman? ['wai ∫əd ə 'mæn 'ə:n 'mo: ðən a 'womən]

You 'ought to 'have your 'own 'car. [ju 'o:t tə 'hæv jər 'əun 'ka:]

He 'wants to 'come and 'see us at home. [i 'wonts tə 'k/\m ən 'si: əs ət 'həum]

'Have you 'taken them from 'that 'box? ['hæv ju 'teikən ðəm frem 'ðæt 'boks]

It's 'true that he was 'late, but his 'car could have 'broken 'down. [its 'tru: ðət i wəz 'leit bət iz 'ka: kəd əv 'brəukən 'daun]

I shall 'take as 'much as I 'want. [ai ∫l 'teik əz 'm/\t∫ əz ai 'wont]

'Why am I 'too 'late to 'see him to'day? ['wai əm ai 'tu: 'leit tə 'si: im tə'dei]

Exercise 2. Weak forms with pre-vocalic and pre-consonantal forms.

DIFFERENT VOWELS

When you hear the number, say the phrase, using the appropriate weak form:

the 1. the apple [ði æpl] 2. the pear [ðə peə]

to 3. to Edinburgh [tu ednbrə] 4. to Leeds [tə li:dz] do 5. so do I [səu du ai] 6. so do they [səu də ðei]

LINKING CONSONANT

a/an 7. an ear [ən iə] 8. a foot [ə fut]

(The other words in this section have "linking r".)

her 9. Her eyes [hər aiz] 10. her nose [hə nəuz]

your 11. your uncle [jər /\ŋkl] 12. your friend [jə frend]

for 13. for Alan [fər ælən] 14. for Mike [fə maik]

there 15. there aren't [ðər a:nt] 16. there couldn't [ðə kudnt]

are 17. these are ours [ði:z ər auəz] 18. these are mine [ði:z ə main]

were 19. you were out [ju: wər aut] 20. you were there [ju: wə ðeə]

Exercise 3. Transcription.

[Note: this exercise is a long one, and it is possible to go directly to Exercise 4 if wished).

Write the following sentences in transcription, taking care to give the correct weak forms for the words printed in smaller type.

1. 'Leave the 'rest of the 'food for lunch.

'Aren't there some 'letters for her to 'open?

'Where do the 'eggs come from?

'Read his 'book and 'write some 'notes.

At 'least we can 'try and 'help.