If you’re reading this post, you’ve already taken a class about how to pronounce function words in English. Here’s some more practice for you.
Listen to this conversation and pay attention to how I pronounce the words in bold. They are function words with a weak form. Next, try listen-and-repeat with each line and practise your pronunciation of weak forms of function words.
A: Hey, are you free this morning? I was thinking we could grab a quick coffee before work.
B: Yeah, sounds good to me! Usual place?
A: Actually, I was thinking we could try somewhere new. There’s a café just around the corner from your apartment. What do you reckon?
B: Ooh, that sounds nice. Actually, I’ve seen it before, my partner and I were thinking about going last week! Oh, another thing that I’ve been meaning to tell you—I’m planning a spa weekend!
A: Really? That sounds amazing! But is it this weekend or next weekend?
B: Ah, sorry, I meant next weekend.
A: Ah, got it. So why are you organising that then?
B: To be honest, I’ve been so stressed lately. I have had way too much work, and I just need a proper break now.
A: Wow, I had no idea! You definitely deserve a good break. Anyway, we can talk about this over coffee. Shall I pick you up in 20 minutes?
B: That would be great! See you then!