Weak and Strong Forms - Phonetics and Phonology I

Function words are usually

• Stressed

• Unstressed

Unstressed words usually contain weak vowels /ə/, /ɪ/, /ʊ/

• True

• False

Can function words be stressed?

• No, never

• Yes, when used for emphasis or when they are in isolation

Both personal and objective pronouns are usually unstressed

• True

• False

Prepositions can take their strong form and yet be unstressed

• False

• True, for example when they are in final position

When the verb “to be” functions as main verb, it takes its

• Strong form

• Weak form

Auxiliary and modal verbs take their weak form unless they are negative contracted or in final position

• True

• False

Conjunctions are normally

• Stressed

• Unstressed