Using strong and weak forms in English (A2-B1)

- Reading time: 8 minutes

When is do pronounced /duː/ and when is it pronounced /də/?

Read and listen to the following conversation between Marcus and Darren.  Then Try to answer 1-3.

  1. Where is do pronounced /duː/ and when is it pronounced /də/?
  2. Where is does pronounced /dʌz/ and when is it pronounced /dəz/
  3. Do you know why the pronunciation changes?

Marcus:

Hi Darren.  Do you know where Linda is?

Darren:

She's downstairs, but she's interviewing most of the day.  Can I help at all?

Marcus:

Hmm.  I’m not sure.  Does she know that the date of the internal audit has been changed? 

Darren:

Yes, she does. I heard her talking to Kay about it on the phone this morning.

Marcus:

Good. I need to add some missing figures to last quarter’s health and safety spreadsheet, but it’s password protected. 

Darren:

Right.

Marcus:

And I’m on holiday for two weeks, so I’ll need access by the end of the day.

Darren:

OK.  What’s the best way to reach you this afternoon, Marcus?  On your mobile?

Marcus:

Yes, on my mobile as I’ve got a client visit later this afternoon.

Darren:

OK, leave it with me then and I’ll see what I can do.

Marcus:

OK, thanks.

Darren:

No problem.

Learning Points

  1. Do /də/ you know where Linda is?
    I'll see what I can do /duː/
  2. Does /dəz/ she know that the date of the internal audit has been changed?
    Yes, she does /dʌz/.
  3. Do and does have strong and weak forms and this is why their pronunciation changes. 

    Weak form Strong form
    do /də/ /du:/
    does /dəz/ /dʌz/
    • The weak forms are used when do and does are auxiliary verbs in a sentence:
      Do you know where Linda is?
      Does she know that the date of the internal audit has been changed?
    • Weak forms use the schwa /ə/. 
    • The strong forms are used when do or does are at the end of a sentence:
      I'll see what I can do.
      Yes, she does.
    • The strong forms are also used when do is the main verb in a sentence:
      How do you do? ~ Nice to meet you.
      What do you do? ~ I'm a HR consultant. And you?
  4. If your English level is below B1, using weak forms isn't so important at the moment, but having a good understanding of them will definitely help you to improve your listening skills.  

Interested in learning more?

Do and does are not the only words that have weak and strong forms in English.

In the conversation between Marcus and Darren, is can used in its weak form /kən/ or its strong form /kæn/?  

Tell me more!