How To Pronounce “be”

be

function word

Strong form

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

Phonemic

/biː/

Phonetic

[biː]

e.g. Who could it be?

/huː.kəd.ɪtˈbiː/

Phonemic

/biː/

e.g. Who could it be?

/huː.kəd.ɪtˈbiː/

Weak form

Used in connected speech.

Phonemic

/bi/

Phonetic

[bi]

e.g. I will be late.

/aɪ.wəl.biˈleɪt/

Phonemic

/bi/

e.g. I will be late.

/aɪ.wəl.biˈleɪt/

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

Weak form. In British English it is /bi/, and in American English it is /bi/. 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 Be

How do you pronounce be in British English?

Strong form, /biː/. Weak form, /bi/.

How do you pronounce be in American English?

Strong form, /biː/. Weak form, /bi/.

What is the weak form of be?

The weak form of be is /bi/ in British English. It is the usual form in connected speech.

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