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25 VERY Common Words that

Reduce In English
Function Word Fully Reduced Example
Pronounced
1. the /ði/ /ðә/ Call the police.
She bought the car.
2. are /ɑr/ /әr/ The kids are hungry.
Those are hot.
3. and /ӕnd/ /әn/ I’ll be out Thursday and Friday.
Practice, and you will get better.
4. of /ʌv/ /ә/ I need one of those.
Are you part of this?
5. a, an /ei/, /ӕn/ /ә/, /әn/ They need a break.
I have a meeting.
We have an appointment.
I had an early lunch.
6. to /tu/ /tә/ I can’t wait to see it.
I should go to sleep.
7. was /wʌs/ /wәz/ She was late.
That was awesome.
8. that /ðӕt/ /ðәt/ That’s terrible.
He said that might happen.
9. for /foʊr/ /fәr/ What’s for dinner?
It’s time for bed.
10. you /yu/ /yә/ I knew you would.
Do you have it?
11. he /hi/ /i/ Sure he does.
I know he will.
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12. at /ӕt/ /әt/ Let’s meet at 6.

He’s at work.
13. but /bʌt/ /bәt/ Anything but that.
I don't like it, but it's the only option.
14. his /hɪz/ /ɪz/ It’s his job.
That’s his brother.
15. from /frʌm/ /frәm/ The meeting’s from 1 to 4.
He’s from New York.
16. or /oʊәr/ /әr/ I can do Tuesday or Thursday.
Would 3 or 4 work better?
17. as /ӕz/ /әz/ It’s not as hot today.
We’ll leave as soon as we can.
18. their /ðɛәr/ /ðәr/ What's their address?
Their house is for sale.
19. can /kӕn/ /kәn/ I can do that.
We can try again tomorrow.
20. her /hәr/ /әr/ I just met her.
It’s her birthday.
21. them /ðɛm/ /әm/ We saw them last night.
I don’t need them.
22. him /hɪm/ /ɪm/ She already told him.
I met him yesterday.
23. your, you’re /yoʊr/ /yәr/ How was your weekend?
I think you’re next.
24. than /ðӕn/ /ðәn/ It’s more than that.
Anything’s better than this.
25. our /aʊәr/ /ɑr/ Party’s at our house!
We did our best.