How to use strong and weak form in English Speech?

Target Audience: Polytechnic Teachers and Students in Tamilnadu and general learners of English.
Subject: English-1, II YEAR MOP, M SCHEME
Objective: Students should be able to pronounce English words with right stress pattern.
Question Pattern in Exam: I. C. Mark the strong and weak form of the words in boldface: (3 marks)
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What is a strong form? What is a weak form?

In English, grammatical words like articles, auxiliary verbs, prepositions, conjunctions and pronouns are pronounced in two different ways depending upon whether they are stressed or unstressed.  If they are stressed, their strong forms are used.  If they are not stressed, the weak forms are used.  Weak forms show the reduction of the length of the sounds, particularly weakening of the vowels in them.

For example, look at the following two sentences:

1. I’m working as a teacher at Govt. Polytechnic College for Women.

2.  Are you the manager here?  Yes, I am.

In the first sentence, there is no need to stress the word “am”, but in the second sentence, “am” is naturally stressed to draw the attention and show the confirmation.  So, we have to use the weak form in sentence one but strong form in sentence two for the auxiliary verb “am”.  Students need not write the phonetic transcription of the strong form /æm/ or weak form /m/.  They are expected just to mention as Strong form or Weak form next to the sentence.

Rules for Using Strong form:

When grammatical words such as articles and prepositions are normally used, only their weak forms are mostly used.  Their strong forms are used if only there is a necessity or importance is felt by the speaker.

Rule 1 : To draw the attention

Strong form is used to draw the attention of the listener.

Example:

1. Give me a book.  Answer: Weak form (“me” is generally/normally used”

2. Hello, it’s me!   Answer: Strong form (“me” is used with emphasis to draw the attention)

Rule 2: To show the contrast, refusal or correction

Strong form is used to correct or refuse what somebody has said.

Example:

1. Please, give me your pen.  She has to fill in her application. 

Answer: weak form (normally used)

2. It’s your mistake!  No, it’s her mistake!

Answer: Strong form (The reply shows refusal and correction)

Rule 3: Seeking clarification and confirmation

When something is doubtful, the speaker uses strong form to clear his doubts or confirm the truth in it.

1. There are no buses here from Wednesday to Friday.

Answer: Weak form (general reference)

2.  Is this train from Chennai or to Chennai?

Answer: Strong form (seeking or offering clarification and confirmation)

Rule 4: Particular reference

When you mention something in general, the weak form is used.  But when you mention something in particular, the strong form is used.

1. I’m really thirsty. Is there some orange juice in kitchen?

Answer: Weak form (general reference)

2. That ice cream looks nice.  Do you want some?

Answer: Strong form (particular reference)

3. Yes I’m sure that would help.

Answer: weak form. (general reference)

4. I hoped to secure 100% mark in the reading test.  But I spelt the word “would” wrong.

Answer: Strong form (particular reference)

Rule 5: Auxiliary verb used as a main verb in short answer

When an auxiliary verb functions as a main verb, especially in short answer to make an emphasis, the strong form is used.

1. They are going to park.

Answer: weak form. (general statement, no emphasis.)

 2.  Are they at your home now? Yes, they are.

Answer: Strong form (short answer with emphasis on “are”)

Rule 6: Prepositions at the end of a sentence

Prepositions at the end of a sentence/ question always take strong forms.

1. He is coming from Coimbatore.

Answer: Weak form (prepositions normally used)

2. Where is he coming from?

Answer: Strong form (preposition used at the end)

Rule 7: Weak forms used in contracted forms

The contracted forms of auxiliary verbs take only the weak form.

1. He’s late for the class.

Answer: Weak form (contracted form of the auxiliary verb ‘is’)

2. I’ll call you back in half an hour.

Answer: Weak form (contracted form of the auxiliary verb ‘will’)

Exercises for you

Mark the strong and weak form of the words in boldface:

1. I was in Slovenia last weekend.  What were you doing there?

2. Why weren’t you and Amy at the party? But we were.

3. What have you got there? It’s a present from Alex.

4. Is this a card for Seema’s birthday? No, it’s from Seema.

5. Why did you mark it wrong? You wrote ‘your’ instead of ‘you’.

6. We are off to Scotland again in the summer.  Are you going with your sister?

7. Can I borrow your screwdriver? What do you want it for?

8. Did the phone ring? Yes, it was for David.

9. Give it to Arthur.

10. I don’t want to.

Answers:

1. Weak, 2. Strong, 3. Weak, 4. Strong, 5. Strong, 6. Weak, 7. Strong, 8. Weak, 9. Weak,

10. Strong.