Learn about the ‘schwa’ vowel in English speech rhythm
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The use of the “schwa” gives English speech its natural rhythm. It is the most frequently occurring vowel and without it English would not sound English.
Pronunciation and uses of the 'schwa' vowel
“together, photographer, analysis, percent” (certain unstressed syllables of longer words)
“was, were, have, does” (positive non-final auxiliary verbs)
“a, an, and, but” (articles, conjunctions and other function words)
• He’s got to try to find out how to get there.
• She can swim and ski but she can’t skate.
• Don’t forget to phone first and check they can go.
• They sleep at eight and wake at ten.
• He went to live in Canada for four years.
• Seventy percent of photographers prefer this camera.
