How To Pronounce “it's”

it's

function word

Strong form

Used when emphasised or contrasted.

Phonemic

/ɪts/

Phonetic

[ɪts]

e.g. I said it's, not that's.

/aɪ.sedˈɪts.nɒt.ðæts/

Phonemic

/ɪts/

e.g. I said it's, not that's.

/aɪ.sedˈɪts.nɑːt.ðæts/

Weak form

Used in rapid, informal connected speech.

Phonemic

/əts/

Phonetic

[əts]

e.g. It's late.

/ətsˈleɪt/

Phonemic

/əts/

e.g. It's late.

/ətsˈleɪt/

“it's” 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 /ɪts/, and in American English it is /ɪts/. It is used when emphasised or contrasted.

Weak form. In British English it is /əts/, and in American English it is /əts/. It is used in rapid, informal 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 It's

How do you pronounce it's in British English?

Strong form, /ɪts/. Weak form, /əts/.

How do you pronounce it's in American English?

Strong form, /ɪts/. Weak form, /əts/.

What is the weak form of it's?

The weak form of it's is /əts/ in British English. It is the usual form in connected speech.

Search All 10,380 Words In The App

Other Function Words With Weak Forms

Nearby Words

Learn English and Literature with Adroit Tutors on our website, and order course materials there too.