The vowel /ə/ (called "Schwa") central, mid, lax vowel
It is a reduced vowel, which means it is shorter and quicker than other vowels and only appears in unstressed syllables. This vowel is found in most unstressed syllables in English.
Spelling:
- "a" - about, majority
- "o"- official, lion
- "u" - undo, medium
- "e" - different, wanted
- "i" - family, reality
- "io" - mission, condition
- "ai" - certain, mountain
- "ia" - special, essential
Grammar Tip: In addition to unstressed syllables within words, /ə/ is often used in a certain set of words called "function words" (or "structure words"). These are words that carry grammatical meaning within a sentence. They are often spoken quickly with reduced vowels in conversational English.
- Articles: a, an, the
- Prepositions: of, to, for, at
- Conjunctions: or, and
- Pronouns: him, her, them, you, some
- Auxiliary verbs: do, can, have
LISTEN
/ə/.../ə/.../ə/.../ə/...
about...undo...hated...certain...
about...undo...hated...certain...
Listen to these sentences. The underlined words are function words. Notice how the function words are pronounced with /ə/ instead of a full vowel.
- Have you told him the news?
- I can come to the party with him.
- Jeff and I took them some cake.
/ə/.../ʌ/.../ə/.../ʌ/.../ə/.../ʌ/...
These are both central, mid, lax vowels. However, /ə/ is a reduced vowel and /ʌ/ is a full vowel. This means that /ə/ is shorter and softer than /ʌ/.
These are both central, mid, lax vowels. However, /ə/ is a reduced vowel and /ʌ/ is a full vowel. This means that /ə/ is shorter and softer than /ʌ/.
Compare Word Forms:
A stressed syllable in a word may become unstressed when a suffix is added to the word, which changes the word stress. Listen to these examples. Notice how the underlined full vowel becomes the reduced vowel /ə/ when the suffix is added.
- office --> official
- major --> majority
- biology --> biological
PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
1. sofa
2. about
3. undo
4. umbrella
5. unlucky
6. potato
7. motion
8. wanted
9. lion
10. method
2. about
3. undo
4. umbrella
5. unlucky
6. potato
7. motion
8. wanted
9. lion
10. method
11. collection
12. uncertain
13. stability
14. magazine
15. industry
16. period
17. avoidance
18. photography
19. additional
20. uncomfortable
12. uncertain
13. stability
14. magazine
15. industry
16. period
17. avoidance
18. photography
19. additional
20. uncomfortable
Now, practice /ə/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences. (Remember that in a sentence, some function words will also have /ə/.)
1. family - support - decision - abroad
His family doesn't support his decision to go abroad.
2. important - complete - assignments
It's important for you to complete all your assignments.
3. helpful - collect - supplies
Before you start a project, it's helpful to collect all your supplies.
4. apartment - beautiful - colorful
Your apartment is so beautiful and colorful!
5. uncomfortable - about - personal - problems
I'm uncomfortable talking about personal problems.
6. somebody - applied - position
Somebody told me that you applied for a new position at work.
His family doesn't support his decision to go abroad.
2. important - complete - assignments
It's important for you to complete all your assignments.
3. helpful - collect - supplies
Before you start a project, it's helpful to collect all your supplies.
4. apartment - beautiful - colorful
Your apartment is so beautiful and colorful!
5. uncomfortable - about - personal - problems
I'm uncomfortable talking about personal problems.
6. somebody - applied - position
Somebody told me that you applied for a new position at work.
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:
Consonants /d/ and /g/
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a PALAVRA DEVERIA ESTAR AQUI
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