This sentence has only two content words: given and present.
All the others are function words, and they’ve all been
shortened and reduced so that they !t into the available
space. For example, should have doesn’t sound like its full
form of /ˈ∫ᴜdhæv/. Instead, it sounds like /ˈ∫ᴜdə/.
Also, him sounds like /ɪm/ instead of /hɪm/.
If we say this sentence with full forms of all the function
words, the rhythm doesn’t sound quite natural, like this:
I should have GIV•en him a PRES•ent.
Changes in reduced function words
Many common function words are listed in Boxes 9.3 - 9.6
with their citation forms and common reduced forms. In
addition to these, other function words also become weaker,
quicker, and less distinct when they’re unstressed. Here are
some types of changes that can happen when function words
are reduced.
Contractions
When we use shortened forms like I’m, he’s, I’d, isn’t, and
can’t, whole syllables are lost and the combined form
becomes shorter. For example, in the following sentence, do
not and you are can be changed to the contractions don’t and
you’re. (More contractions are listed in Box 12.2 in Chapter
12, Connected Speech.)I am aFRAID I do not underSTAND what you are SAYing.
→ I’m aFRAID I don’t underSTAND what you’re SAYing.Loss of consonants
The following words (pronouns and possessive adjectives)
that start with /h/ can lose the /h/ sound in their reduced
forms:
He → /iy/ Did he TELL you about it?
120Pronouncing Can and Can’t
The contrast between the words can and can’t is often
especially troublesome. Here are some ways to tell them apart.
Can’t is usually stressed. It sounds like /kænt/ or /kæn//, with a
clear /æ/ sound. (We may not be able to hear the final /t/.)
I CAN’T go with you. Why CAN’T you help me?
Can is usually unstressed. It often sounds like /kən/ or /kn/,
with a reduced vowel.
I can go with you. Who can help me?
But when can is alone, with no verb after it, it’s stressed.
Can you help me? Yes, I CAN.
Can you help me? I CAN tomorrow, but not right now.