How To Pronounce “because”

because

function word

Strong form

Used when emphasised or contrasted.

Phonemic

/bɪˈkɒz/

Phonetic

[bɪˈkʰʷɒz]

e.g. I said because, not since.

/aɪ.sed.bɪˈkɒz.nɒt.sɪns/

Phonemic

/bɪˈkʌz/

e.g. I said because, not since.

/aɪ.sed.bɪˈkʌz.nɑːt.sɪns/

Weak form

Used in connected speech.

Phonemic

/bɪˈkəz/

Phonetic

[bɪˈkʰəz]

e.g. I stayed because it rained.

/aɪ.steɪd.bɪ.kəz.ɪtˈreɪnd/

Phonemic

/bɪˈkəz/

e.g. I stayed because it rained.

/aɪ.steɪd.bɪ.kəz.ɪtˈreɪnd/

“because” 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 /bɪˈkɒz/, and in American English it is /bɪˈkʌz/. It is used when emphasised or contrasted.

Weak form. In British English it is /bɪˈkəz/, and in American English it is /bɪˈkəz/. 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 Because

How do you pronounce because in British English?

Strong form, /bɪˈkɒz/. Weak form, /bɪˈkəz/.

How do you pronounce because in American English?

Strong form, /bɪˈkʌz/. Weak form, /bɪˈkəz/.

How many syllables are in because?

Because has two syllables, /bɪ/ + /kɒz/.

Where is the stress in because?

The main stress is on the second syllable, /kɒz/.

What is the weak form of because?

The weak form of because is /bɪˈkəz/ in British English. It is the usual form in connected speech.

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