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EyeSeeYou Posted 14 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation
Where; were; we're
Would you say the three of these sound different, at least in AmE?
I'd say the odd one out is WHERE (longer sound), but WE'RE and WERE sound alike in AmE.
I'd say the odd one out is WHERE (longer sound), but WE'RE and WERE sound alike in AmE.
Top answer
Despite its spelling, "where" actually has the sound of 'h' before the remaining sound (same as ware). "We're" has the vocalic sound the same as 'here' or 'hear'. "Were" has the sound of (a stressed) schwa.
- Despite its spelling, "where" actually has the sound of 'h' before the remaining sound (same as ware).
- "We're" has the vocalic sound the same as 'here' or 'hear'.
- "Were" has the sound of (a stressed) schwa.
- All three distinctly different, but kids have trouble learning the spelling coordination.
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4 Answers
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Despite its spelling, "where" actually has the sound of 'h' before the remaining sound (same as ware).
"We're" has the vocalic sound the same as 'here' or 'hear'.
"Were" has the sound of (a stressed) schwa.
All three distinctly different, but kids have trouble learning the spelling coordination.
"We're" has the vocalic sound the same as 'here' or 'hear'.
"Were" has the sound of (a stressed) schwa.
All three distinctly different, but kids have trouble learning the spelling coordination.
00
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There & their - identical.
They're: I elongate the vowel (if I'm being careful), with just a hint of the 'y'. Most people don't make the distinction & would group it with the other two words in question.
They're: I elongate the vowel (if I'm being careful), with just a hint of the 'y'. Most people don't make the distinction & would group it with the other two words in question.
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EyeSeeYoubut WE'RE and WERE sound alike in AmE.In faster speech, yes, but they are really different if pronounced more slowly or carefully.
CJ
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