Unit 36. What do You Think?

Auxiliary Verbs
Unit 36; Part A
OooO is a very common rhythm in questions beginning with Wh- words (when, where, what, etc.) followed by auxiliary verbs.
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![]() Listen to these examples. You will hear each one twice; first in careful speech and then in fast speech. Notice how, in fast speech, the vowel is very weak in the auxiliary do and does. OooO What do you think? Where do you live? What does she mean? Where does he work? What did he say? Why did you go? |
Unit 36; Part B
![]() Other auxiliaries are also usually in questions. Listen. Note that the speaker does not pronounce the first letters of the auxiliaries will, have ahd has. What will he do? Where has she been? What have I done? What can you see? |
Unit 36; Part C
Auxiliaries are stressed in negarive contractions and at the end of sentences. Listen to these examples. Yes, I do. I don't know. Yes, I will. He won't say. Yes, I have. I haven't done it. Yes, I can. I can't help. Note: Auxiliaries can also be stressed for emphasis or contrast For example: I'm not English, but I am British! (See Unit 49.) |
Unit 36; Part D
![]() In very fast speech, some speakers pronounce many of these questions with only three syllables. Listen.
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Exercises
![]() | Unit 35 Unit 36 Unit 37 | ![]() |