Uniwersytet J Weckwerth

im. Adama Mickiewicza http://www.ifa.amu.edu.pl/~wjarek

English phonetics and phonology: Weak forms summary

English is very different in Polish in having special, reduced “weak” forms for many “function” words, such as
pronouns, prepositions and auxiliary verbs. These “weak” forms are used in all styles of speech in a vast
majority of cases. Many authors claim that one of the tell-tale signs of a foreign accent is the use of “strong”
forms where they are not needed. Also, using “weak” forms adds to the general fluency of a speaker’s English.
It must be remembered that quite often “weak” forms are also considered to be one of the reasons for non-native
speakers’ having considerable problems understanding native English spoken in a normal, conversational
manner. Therefore, knowing about “weak” forms can be also useful for listening comprehension.

When weak forms are NOT used

Weak forms are not used for “function” words only in exceptional circumstances. (In the examples below,
underlining means a “strong” form.)
1 When a “function” word is stressed or “cited”:
I said Tom and Ann rather than Tom or Ann.
How is the word “for” spelt?
2 When a “function” word is at the end of a sentence or phrase (“stranded’):
What are you looking at?
I know I can.
3 Very often, if there are two or more “function” words at the end of a sentence, especially a preposition
followed by a pronoun, one (usually the first one) will be in its “strong” form:
I was looking for you.
Stop staring at him.

4 When the word is used as a “full”, meaningful, “lexical” form (e.g. have or do as full verbs rather than
auxiliary verbs; that as a determiner rather than a conjunction; there as an adverb rather than an empty
subject).
I usually have lunch at one. vs. I have eaten already.
He never does his homework. vs. Does he live here?
That bag is mine. vs. She said that she would come.
I went there. vs. There is a hole in the wall.

Supplementary reading
The entries for the individual words in question in Jones (2006) and/or Wells (2000). These are very useful, as
they discuss the behaviour of individual weak forms in quite a lot of detail, and also point out special cases,
exceptions etc.
The “information panel” entries “Weak form” in Jones (2006) and “Weak forms” in Wells (2000).
The subchapter “Strong, weak and contracted forms” from Collins – Mees (2003: 16–21).

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