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Lesson 18 - The schwa in "that" clause

Your speech will sound much better if the joining word "that" before a clause is not stressed. In fact, "that" is so unimportant that often it is omitted altogether. A slight pause, if any, may occur before, not after, the word "that".

Here are some examples:

A: It's a real shame
// that we can't go to Macau. 		(weak form of "that" /ðət/)
B: Yes, but John said
// that it was silly to tempt fate. 		(weak form of "that" /ðət/ )
A: That's superstitious! (strong form of "that"/ðæt/)

 

Practice

Read aloud these examples; remember to use the weak form /ə/ in "that".



1 The President said that the new pool would open next year.
2 We know that the results are not accurate, but believe that they are indicative.
3 It's time that we reviewed this whole issue again.
4 We're all familiar with the problem that dogs Hong Kong constantly ...
5 The Government has pledged that clearner fuels will become mandatory.

 

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