How To Pronounce “a”

a

function word

Strong form

Used when emphasised or contrasted.

Phonemic

/eɪ/

Phonetic

[eɪ]

e.g. I said a book, not the book.

/aɪ.sedˈeɪ.bʊk.nɒt.ðə.bʊk/

Phonemic

/eɪ/

e.g. I said a book, not the book.

/aɪ.sedˈeɪ.bʊk.nɑːt.ðə.bʊk/

Weak form

Used in connected speech.

Phonemic

/ə/

Phonetic

[ə]

e.g. I have a dog.

/aɪ.hæv.əˈdɒɡ/

Phonemic

/ə/

e.g. I have a dog.

/aɪ.hæv.əˈdɔːɡ/

“a” is a function word, so it has more than one pronunciation. In normal connected speech the weak form is usual. The strong form is used when the word is stressed, said on its own or at the end of a phrase.

Strong form. In British English it is /eɪ/, and in American English it is /eɪ/. It is used when emphasised or contrasted.

Weak form. In British English it is /ə/, and in American English it is /ə/. It is used in connected speech.

Slashes / / show the phonemic transcription, the sounds that change meaning. Square brackets [ ] show the phonetic transcription, with the finer detail of how the sounds are actually made.

Questions About A

How do you pronounce a in British English?

Strong form, /eɪ/. Weak form, /ə/.

How do you pronounce a in American English?

Strong form, /eɪ/. Weak form, /ə/.

What is the weak form of a?

The weak form of a is /ə/ in British English. It is the usual form in connected speech.

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