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Schwa Sound

britdam007

britdam007

India

“Can I ask you something”?


In the above sentence in the word “can” the letter “a” represents a schwa sound as in the words ago, agree, alive etc. , or a sound that is represented by words as in cat, mat, lad, dad, mad etc.?



Best regards,


Abhishek

09:08 AM Mar 23 2014 |

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Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

In the above sentence, both “can” and “ask” have the same vowel sounds as represented in the words “cat,” “mat,” “lad,” etc.


Best,


Amy

03:30 AM Mar 24 2014 |

britdam007

britdam007

India

Thank you. But is it true that when modal ‘can’ is used in the middle position for example in the sentence, ” I can tell you on one condition”  the modal “can” here takes the schwa sound? 


Best regards,


Abhishek

01:14 PM Mar 24 2014 |

Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

Many native speakers would probably use the swchwa sound in the word “can” when it is in the middle position, as in the above example. However, pronouncing the word “can” as it normally sounds when it stands alone is never incorrect.


Best,


Amy

04:41 AM Mar 28 2014 |