8/13/2019 How to Pronounce a and The
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The article "a" can be pronounced /ei/ (as in the name of the
letter A), or it can be neutralized into a schwa
sound (to sound like 'uh').
Usually, the schwa sound is used. However, the /ei/ sound can be
used as well, at the discretion of the
speaker.
The /ei/ sound is often used to create contrastive stress. This
would occur when emphasizing that there isonly one noun rather than
several, or when emphasizing that the noun is one out of many
rather than
being the only one in existance. The /ei/ sound can also be used
in other contexts, such as when someone
is deliberately speaking slowly and clearly. However, that is
rare. The schwa sound is much more
common.
For example:
What do you have there?
I have a ('uh') bag.
You must have a lot of bags, right?
No. I have a (/ei/) bag. That's all.
Do you have the bag with the money in it?
No. I have a (/ei/) bag, but not the one you want.
What was that, young man? You have a pad?
No! I said, "I HAVE A (/ei/) BAG!"
When the definite article ("the")comes before a word that begins
with a vowel, pronounce it like "thee."
E.g. " elephant"
When "the" comes before a word that begins with a consonant,
pronounce it like "thu" (with a schwa
sound). E.g. " car"
When do I use the preposition "of" in cases like: "exhibitionOF
art" or "art exhibition"???
When do I use the preposition "of" in cases like: "exhibition OF
art" or "art exhibition"???
I'll give other examples: Should I say: "the song of The
Corries" or "the Corries song"?
"English grammar" or "grammar of English"? (I've seen both
versions, is there a difference in meaning
when I use "of"?)
Should I say - "work of an artist" or "an artist work"?
Is there a rule to know when I use "of" in such cases? Are both
ways ok?
Please let me know all about it, thank you! 4 years ago Report
Abuse
imperato...
Best Answer- Chosen by Voters
In some of the cases you mention, you can also use the
possessive, like this:
'The Corries' song', rather than, 'a song of the Corries'
'An artist's work', rather than, 'the work of an artist'.
You should never write, 'grammar of English' (unless you are
referring to an actual grammar book, as in 'I
often use a grammar of English when writing essays'). This is
because English is an adjective, as in 'theEnglish language'.
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