LISTEN

/ə/…/ə/…/ə/…/ə/

about…undo…hated…certain

WHAT IS IT?

Pronunciation:
The vowel /ə/ (called “Schwa”) is a central, mid, lax vowel. It is a reduced vowel, which means it is shorter and quicker than other vowels and only appears in unstressed syllables. This vowel is found in most unstressed syllables in English.

• Your lips should be relaxed and slightly open, not rounded or spread.
• Let your tongue rest in the center of your mouth, without touching any part of your mouth.
• Breathe out, and let your vocal cords vibrate. Pronounce the vowel quickly and softly.

Spelling:

• “a” – about, majority
• “o”– official, lion
• “u” – undo, medium
• “e” – different, wanted
• “i” – family, reality
• “io” – mission, condition 
• “ai” – certain, mountain
• “ia” – special, essential

Grammar Tip:
In addition to unstressed syllables within words,  /ə/ is often used in a certain set of words called “function words” (or “structure words”). These are words that carry grammatical meaning within a sentence. They are often spoken quickly with reduced vowels in conversational English.

• Articles: a, an, the
• Prepositions: of, to, for, at
• Conjunctions: or, and
• Pronouns: him, her, them, you, some
• Auxiliary verbs: do, can, have

Listen to these sentences. The underlined words are function words. Notice how the function words are pronounced with /ə/ instead of a full vowel.

• Have you told him the news?
• I can come to the party with him.
• Jeff and I took them some cake.

COMPARE

Compare /ə/ with /ʌ/:

/ə/…/ʌ/…/ə/…/ʌ/…/ə/…/ʌ/

These are both central, mid, lax vowels. However, ​​/ə/ is a reduced vowel and /ʌ/ is a full vowel. This means that /ə/ is shorter and softer than /ʌ/.

Practice hearing the difference between ​​/ə/ and /ʌ/ by taking the quiz here (external site).

Compare Word Forms:
​A stressed syllable in a word may become unstressed when a suffix is added to the word, which changes the word stress. Listen to these examples. Notice how the underlined full vowel becomes the reduced vowel /ə/ when the suffix is added.

• office –> official
• major –> majority
• biology –> biological

Practice listening to words with /ə/ and with a full vowel by taking the quiz here (external site).

PRACTICE

Listen and repeat these words:

Now, practice /ə/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences. (Remember that in a sentence, some function words will also have /ə/.)

1. family – support – decision – abroad
His family doesn’t support his decision to go abroad.
2. important – complete – assignments
It’s important for you to complete all your assignments.
3. helpful – collect – supplies
Before you start a project, it’s helpful to collect all your supplies.
4. apartment – beautiful – colorful
Your apartment is so beautiful and colorful!
5. uncomfortable – about – personal – problems
I’m uncomfortable talking about personal problems.
6. somebody – applied – position
​Somebody told me that you applied for a new position at work​​.

To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the audio links below:

Male – US Midwest (St Louis)

Male – US Midwest (Iowa)

Male – US Midwest

Female – US Northeast

Female – US Southeast

Prepare:
What topics do you talk about with strangers?

• Religion
• Political opinions
• The problems of society
• Personal problems
• Your salary and finances
• Your relationships
• Current news
• Technology
• Your education
• Activities that you enjoy

​Record:
Imagine you are giving advice to a shy friend who wants to have better conversations with strangers. Tell them which topics are good for conversation and which topics are bad for conversation. Explain why.

©2024, Christine Wingate

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