DEFINITION
What are stress and reductions?
Stress is the extra emphasis given to a syllable, word, or idea when speaking English.
A stressed syllable is usually:
- Louder
- Longer
- Higher in pitch
- Clearer in pronunciation
Example:
- TAble → TA-ble
- beGIN → be-GIN
- imPORtant → im-POR-tant
The stressed syllable stands out from the others.
Sentence Stress
In sentences, important words are usually stressed:
“I WANT to BUY a NEW CAR.”
The stressed words carry the main meaning:
- want
- buy
- new
- car
Small grammar words are often not stressed:
- I
- to
- a
Reductions occur when unstressed words or syllables are pronounced in a shorter, weaker way.
The most common reduction is the schwa sound /ə/, which is the relaxed “uh” sound.
Examples:
Full Form | Reduced Pronunciation |
to | /tə/ |
for | /fər/ |
can | /kən/ |
and | /ən/ or /n/ |
of | /əv/ or /ə/ |
Example sentence:
“I want to go to the store.”
Careful speech:
I want to go to the store.
Natural speech:
I want tə go tə the store.
Stress and Reductions Work Together
TEXT & VIDEO
Use desktop mode on mobile devices
Play the video below. In the label section, stressed syllables are shown in bold, and reductions are marked with the schwa (ə). Listen carefully to the tone and the length of each syllable.
First, watch the video in slow motion so you can observe the stress, reductions, and rhythm. Then watch it again at normal speed. Try to imitate the speaker’s intonation and overall rhythm.
Next, record your own pronunciation and compare it with the audio in the video. Continue practicing until your pronunciation closely matches the model.
Are yə READy tə ORder?
We are.
ExCUSE me. I have ə QUEStion.
Yes.
I’m in thə MOOD fər LAMB, bət thə SAUCE looks tə FATty. Could I ORder thə LAMB withOUT thə SAUCE?
Sure.
What dəz it COME with?
French FRIES.
I don’t LIKE fried FOOD. Could I have ə grilled VEgetable inSTEAD?
I THINK wiyəv grilled PEPpers.
PERFect
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES