Hi everyone! Welcome back to English with Max. Some time ago I made a video called
Understand Fast English. This is part 2. In this video we're going to look at
some more very common English reductions. If you would like to watch part 1,
you can click on the card above or the link in the description. Being aware of
reductions can make listening in English much easier. It can also help you improve
your speaking. And speaking of improving your English... Do you get sick of making
the same mistakes when you speak or write in English? Or do you need to get a
higher mark in an exam such as the IELTS? If the answer is yes,
then you should definitely consider enrolling in my course "Perfect Your English!"
The course looks at 55 common mistakes made by non-native
English speakers. It also includes several quizzes so you can practise and
never make these mistakes again. If you would like to receive my special
discount, or if you would like more information, you just need to click the
link in the description box. As I said, today we're going to look at some very
common reductions. In case you need a reminder, a reduction is when a sound in
a word changes or disappears. People normally use lots of reductions when
they speak English, particularly when they're speaking quickly. But before we
start, please be aware that we don't reduce these words all the time. If we're
emphasising them or if we're speaking very slowly and clearly, normally we
don't reduce them.
OK, let's look at the first one.
The standard (or strong) form of this word is /ɑː/.
That's the British pronunciation. We'll look at the American pronunciation in a
moment. The reduced form (or weak form) of this word is just /ə/. /ə/.
Yes, it's the schwa sound.
These are the shoes I want. These are. These are. These are the shoes I want.
Frank and George are very helpful. Are very. Are very. Frank and George are very helpful.
Well, George certainly is.
If the following word starts with a vowel sound, we normally pronounce the R. So it
becomes /ər/. /ər/. The shoes are over there. Are over. Are over. The shoes are over there.
The bags are under the table. Are under. Are under. The bags are under the table.
In American English the strong form of this word is /ɑːr/. /ɑːr/. The weak form is /ər/. /ər/.
These are the shoes I want. These are. These are. These are the shoes I want.
The second word is "he". This is often reduced to /i/, so we drop the H.
Is he going to help us? Is he. Is he. Is he going to help us?
No, he won't. No he. No he. No, he won't.
The third word is "her".
First let's look at the British pronunciation. "Her" is often reduced to /ə/.
Yep, it's the schwa sound again, and you can drop the H.
I've seen her today. Seen her. Seen her. I've seen her today.
I'll tell her later. Tell her. Tell her. I'll tell her later.
Not everybody drops the H.
Some people say: /hə/.
I've seen her today. Seen her. Seen her. I've seen her today.
If the next word starts with a vowel sound, we usually pronounce the R.
That's her other cat. Her other. Her other. That's her other cat.
In American English you always pronounce the R, so /hər/ becomes /ər/.
I've seen her today. Seen her. Seen her. I've seen her today.
I'll tell her later. Tell her. Tell her. I'll tell her later
The next word is "him". This is often reduced to /ɪm/. /ɪm/. Again, we drop the H.
I'll tell him later. Tell him. Tell him. I'll tell him later.
We went with him. With him. With him. We went with him.
Number five: his. "His" is often reduced to /ɪz/. /ɪz/. We drop the H again.
That's his bag. That's his. That's his. That's his bag.
Is that his jacket? That his. That his. Is that is jacket?
Now we have "them". "Them" is often reduced to /ðəm/ or even /əm/.
I met them yesterday. Met them. Met them. I met them yesterday.
Or: I met them yesterday. Met them. Met them. I met them yesterday.
I gave them to Frank. Gave them. Gave them. I gave them to Frank.
Or: I gave them to Frank. Gave them. Gave them. I gave them to Frank.
The next word is "you". "You" is often reduced to /jə/. /jə/.
Are you working tomorrow? Are you. Are you. Are you working tomorrow?
Do you know Ethel? Do you. Do you. Do you know Ethel?
Finally, let's look at "your" and the contraction "you're". The strong
forms are pronounced the same: /jɔː/ and /jɔː/. They're homophones. And the weak (or
reduced) forms are also pronounced the same. This is another case where the
British and American pronunciations are a bit different. Let's first look at the
British pronunciation. "Your" and "you're" are often reduced to /jə/. /jə/.
Is that your bag? Your bag. Your bag. Is that your bag?
I think you're crazy. You're crazy You're crazy. I think you're crazy.
If the following word starts with a vowel sound, we pronounce the R.
Is that your underwear? Your underwear. Your underwear. Is that your underwear?
You're always smiling. You're always. You're always. You're always smiling.
In American English you always pronounce the R, so it's /jər/. /jər/.
Is that your bag? Your bag. Your bag. Is that your bag?
I think you're crazy. You're crazy. You're crazy. I think you're crazy.
OK, guys, that's it for today.
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