Rules for pronouncing "the"

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Rules for pronouncing "the"

When do you use the "e" sound as in "bee" and the schwa sound when pronouncing "The"? Is it similar to an and a with vowel sounds in the following noun ditcating which pronunciation is used?

This is a good question and Charles will post his comments shortly. -Diana

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Rules for pronouncing "the"

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Sep 19, 2010

how to prononce ''the''
by: Louma

Hi, how are you Diana? I hope you're fine.
the 'e' sound like 'be' : if the next 'e' word began by a vowel but if it began with a consonant we prononce it as a 'shwa'

Sep 17, 2010

Great work!
by: Anonymous

Hi Diana

Thanks for keeping us informed about the best sources to improve our level of English. We always appreciate your kind & endless effors on this.

Thanks

Sep 16, 2010

Thank you!
by: Anonymous

Hi Miss Diana,
You are sending useful information. This is very helpful to us in order to learn English. Keep sending it each month! Good night!

Sep 16, 2010

"The"
by: Anonymous

Hi, This is an interesting information.
Thank you :)

Feb 03, 2010

Pronunciation of "the"
by: Anonymous

Good question. Yes, there are two pronunciations of "the".
Here's the rule:

When "the" comes before a vowel sound, we pronounce it with /i/ as in "bee" or "tea".
For example: the answer, the other and the inside. In these examples "the" is pronounced with /i/ because "the" comes before vowel sounds.

If "the" comes before a consonant sound, we pronounce it with the schwa sound /ə/. For example, the page, the start and the winner are all pronounced with /ə/ because "the" comes before a consonant sound.

-Charles Becker
Accent Reduction Specialist
New York, USA

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