PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY I

GRADATION
Auxiliary verbs in their strong form.

1. She doesnt pay any attention in class.

2. They werent tired, were they?
3. She hasnt been to England, has she?
4. I cant play the guitar. But Laura can.
5. Oh, Richard. You are silly!
6. But I can do it. Im sure! Why wont you believe me?
7. He does come early. I wonder if he ever sleeps!
8. Alice has returned it. Im not lying! See for yourself!
9. They can, I believe, swim quite well.
10. He is, they say, a foreign spy.
11. The trouble was that they used the wrong key.
12. They say he can, but I doubt that.
13. I think he should, even if he wont.
14. Here we are. Behold the Great Pyramids!
15. A: Are you sure? B: Yes, I am.
16. He says he does.
17. He wasnt there, was he?
18. They didnt do it, did they?
19. Sylvia couldnt come, could she?
20. She isnt English, is she?
21. Where were you?
22. Where was she?
23. How are they?
24. When can they? Monday?
25. Were they late every day?*
26. Can you come?*
27. Are you sure?*
28. I have a new car.
29. She has to do it now.
30. She does her hair beautifully.
31. A: You do realise its almost 10, dont you? B: I do.
32. It must be nearly midnight.
33. Richard left the office two hours ago he must be at home now.
34. I should have gone earlier.
35. He must have arrived yesterday.
36. They would have done it if theyd had the time.

*Here, the weak form with is also possible.

Who: strong or weak?

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1. Who are they?

2. Who was at the door?
3. The woman whos over there asked after you
4. Shes the girl who has cried all day.
5. The man who arrived is Thomas James.
6. The boy who was there is from France.

Some

1. There are some men at the door.

2. I saw some people I knew.
3. We need some money.
4. Would you like some more coffee?
5. Please give us some.
6. I have taken some.
7. Some are bad.
8. Some people like it while others dont.
9. Some of them were bad, some werent.
10. Some of the teachers went to the meeting.
11. Ill have to wait some time.
12. Hell be here for some days.
13. Youll have to travel some miles.
14. I must have read that in some book or other.
15. Theres some man at the door who wants to speak to you.
16. Can you give me some idea of what you want?
17. Thats some car you have!

There: strong or weak?

1. Theres a new book you must read.

2. There is the shop I told you about.
3. The boxes are there in the teachers room.
4. There are a couple of exercises we need to check.
5. Theres no reason to leave, is there?

That: strong or weak?

1. My mom thinks that I should study more.

2. If you say that aloud you may be in trouble.
3. That was John on the phone.
4. Id say that that was very rude of him. He should apologise.
5. That books are obsolete is not a new idea.

Prepositions: Strong forms

1. I wonder who he is talking to right now.

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2. What is this for?

3. Give it to me, please.
4. Ive been looking at it.
5. This parcels for him
6. Hes in Paris, not from Paris

Pronouns: Strong forms

1. Shes in her mid-thirties.

2. Youve done it again, Im afraid.
3. Hell come tomorrow.
4. Weve heard about it.
5. Youll be late.
6. What are you doing there?
7. Im a doctor. What about you?
8. Having a holiday as well? No, not me.
9. You are fatter than I am.
10. Its you and me who are going to pay the bill.
11. I saw Robert and her.
12. Was this for you and her?
13. Sheila and he can do it.
14. We Argentinians eat a lot of meat.
15. This is special news for you students.
16. You children be quiet.

Transcription exercise

The Sick Lion

A Lion, unable from old age to provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so
by artifice. He returned to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking
care that his sickness should be publicly known. The beasts expressed their sorrow,
and came one by one to his den, where the Lion devoured them. After many of the
beasts had thus disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick and presenting himself to
the Lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful distance, and asked him
how he was. "I am very weak," replied the Lion, "but why do you stand outside?
Please come in and talk to me." "No, thank you," said the Fox. "I notice that there
are many prints of feet entering your cave, but I see no trace of any going out."

He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.