Common Function Words with Weak Forms Function Word Strong Form Weak Form Example Sentence Natural Pronunciation to /tuː/ /tə/ I want to go. /aɪ ˈwɑnə ɡoʊ/ for /fɔːr/ /fər/ It’s for you. /ɪts fər juː/ and /ænd/ /ən/, /n/ Bread and butter. /brɛd ən ˈbʌtər/ of /ʌv/ /əv/ A cup of tea. /ə ˈkʌp əv […]
7.2 Weak Forms of Function Words Read More »
1. “The cat sat on the mat.” 2. “He lives in a small town.” 3. “They are watching a movie.” 4. “I have a red car.” 5. “She went to the store.” 6. “We saw a big elephant.” 7. “It is on the table.” 8. “You can open the window.” 9. “The baby is sleeping.” 10. “He works at a bank.” 11. “They are playing soccer.”
7.1 Identifying Content Read More »
Stress Shift in Word Families Word Family Base Word Derived Word 1 Derived Word 2 Stress Pattern Photograph ‘PHOtograph phoTOgrapher phoTOGraphy 1st → 2nd → 3rd syllable Advert ‘ADvert adVERtise adverTISEment 1st → 2nd → 3rd syllable Comfort ‘COMfort comFORtable comforTAbility 1st → 2nd → 4th syllable Nation ‘NAtion naTIONal naTIONALity 1st → 2nd →
6.3 Stress Shift in Word Families Read More »
Key Concept: Stress and Part of Speech In English, stress placement often changes depending on whether a word is a noun, verb, or adjective, especially in two-syllable words: This pattern is not common in Spanish, so learners may misplace stress and cause confusion in both speaking and listening. ❌ Typical Mistakes vs ✅ Correct Usage Word Part of Speech Incorrect
6.2 Stress in Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives Read More »
Key Concepts Recap In contrast, Spanish usually has one main stress per word, making English stress patterns more complex for native Spanish speakers. Examples of Correct vs. Incorrect Stress Word Incorrect Stress (Typical Mistake) Correct Stress Explanation photograph PHOtograph phoTOgraph Primary stress is on the second syllable, not the first. photography phoTOgraphy phoTOGraphy Primary stress shifts to the third
6.1 Primary vs. Secondary Stress Read More »
1. “She” 2. “Cheap” 3. “Judge” 4. “Shirt” 5. “Cheese” 6. “Vision” 7. “Jeans” 8. “Mash” 9. “Chop” 10. “Jar”
1. rainEmphasize the retroflex /r/ by curling the tongue slightly back. Avoid tapping the tongue as in Spanish. 2. aroundFocus on maintaining the /r/ sound in the middle of the word without letting it become a tap. 3. carIn American English, the /r/ is pronounced even at the end. Spanish speakers often drop or tap
5.1 /r/ vs. Spanish Tapped Read More »
These sounds are made by forcing air through a narrow space. Spanish lacks /v/, /θ/, /ð/, and /z/, so learners often substitute them. /v/ vs. /f/ Voiced /v/ Voiceless /f/ van fan vine fine vote float vest fest veil fail view few valve falve (nonword) very ferry save safe live leaf /θ/ vs. /ð/ Voiceless