Pronunciation insight 7

 Strong and weak forms of must, have to and should

When we speak fast, we make some words weak. The weak words are not stressed, and they have often got the vowel sound /ə/. This is the most common vowel sound in English. Example:
a bigger number
/ə//ə/ /ə/
Modal verbs of obligation and advice, such as must, have to and should, are often weak in fast speech.

1Complete the sentences with the correct form of have to. 

You need to use normal letters and capital letters correctly in this task.

• 1The meeting is cancelled. You  go.

• 2We were late. We  hurry.

• 3Ivan has an exam tomorrow. He  study.

• 4The museum was free. They  pay.

• 5My bike is broken. I  walk to school tomorrow.

• 6We are on holiday now. We  work.

2Play the recording, listen and check your answers to exercise 1. Note the pronunciation of to in fast speech. Is it strong /tu:/ or weak /tə/? Then listen again and repeat. 

The pronunciation of to in fast speech is strong /tu:/weak /tə/.

3Study the strong and weak forms of the verbs below. Which verbs have a silent letter? Which letter is silent? Play the recording, listen and repeat. 

	must	mustn't	should	shouldn't
strong	/mʌst/	/ˈmʌsənt/	/ʃʊd/	/ˈʃʊdənt/
weak	/məst/		/ʃəd/

• 1In must the m is silentthe s is silentthe t is silentthere are no silent letters.

• 2In mustn't the m is silentthe s is silentthe first t is silentthe n is silentthe second t is silentthere are no silent letters.

• 3In should the s is silentthe l is silentthe d is silentthere are no silent letters.

• 4In shouldn't the s is silentthe l is silentthe d is silentthe n is silentthe t is silentthere are no silent letters.

• 
  

4Play the recording and listen to the sentences. Write S if the underlined verb is strong and W if it is weak. 

• 1He upset her. He must apologize.

   

• 2It's a secret. You mustn't tell anyone.

   

• 3A  Must you leave so soon?

   

  B  Yes, I must. I have to get the last bus.

   

• 4It's late. You should go home.

   

• 5You're ill. You shouldn't be here.

   

• 6A  Should I wear a suit for the interview?

   

  B  Yes, you should. You need to look smart.

   

5Read the rules and choose the correct answers. 

• 1In fast speech, we usually use the strong formweak form of must and should.

• 2We always use the strong formweak form of must and should in short answers.

• 3Mustn't and shouldn't have only got a strong formweak form.

6Play the recording, listen and repeat the sentences. Pay attention to the pronunciation of must and should.