UNIT 6 PRONUNCIATION Rhythm of Prepositional Phrases What
- Slides: 5
UNIT 6: PRONUNCIATION Rhythm of Prepositional Phrases
What is a preposition? • Which words in this sentence are prepositions? I went to the store in town today.
What is a preposition? • Which words in this sentence are prepositions? I went to the store in town today. Prepositions: Prepositions are words that are used to show relationships (direction, location, or time). A prepositional phrase is: a preposition + noun or noun phrase This sentence has two prepositional phrases: I went [to the store] [in town] today.
“Unstressed” Prepositions • In English, not all words have the same “stress”, or importance. Some words are “stressed” and some words are “unstressed”. • The prepositions to, at, in, of, on, with, for, and from are usually unstressed. • Unstressed prepositions join closely with other words. • These have similar rhythm: for breakfast forbidden in the rain unafraid
(/ə/) Schwa, the ugly English vowel • We pronounce unstressed words faster and sometimes with a special vowel sound /ə/ (“schwa”). • Schwa is also called the “reduced” vowel. • To pronounce: think of the sound people make when they are punched in the stomach, or when someone is very, very relaxed. • Examples of prepositions with schwa: at home for dinner to school in town
