How To Pronounce “at”

at

function word

Strong form

Used at the end of speech, or for emphasis or contrast.

Phonemic

/æt/

Phonetic

[æt̚]

e.g. What are you looking at?

/wɒt.ə.ju.lʊk.ɪŋˈæt/

Phonemic

/æt/

e.g. What are you looking at?

/wʌt.ɚ.ju.lʊk.ɪŋˈæt/

Weak form

Used in connected speech.

Phonemic

/ət/

Phonetic

[ət̚]

e.g. I am at home.

/aɪ.əm.ətˈhəʊm/

Phonemic

/ət/

e.g. I am at home.

/aɪ.əm.ətˈhoʊm/

“at” 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 /æt/, and in American English it is /æt/. It is used at the end of speech, or for emphasis or contrast.

Weak form. In British English it is /ət/, and in American English it is /ət/. 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 At

How do you pronounce at in British English?

Strong form, /æt/. Weak form, /ət/.

How do you pronounce at in American English?

Strong form, /æt/. Weak form, /ət/.

What is the weak form of at?

The weak form of at is /ət/ in British English. It is the usual form in connected speech.

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