Schwa Sound /ə/ – Overview
What is the schwa sound?
The schwa sound /ə/ is the most common vowel sound in English. It appears in unstressed syllables and is pronounced as a short, weak, relaxed sound.
Example: In the word banana, the first and last a are usually pronounced as schwa: /bəˈnænə/.
10 Words with the Schwa Sound
- about – the a is a schwa sound: /əˈbaʊt/
- family – the i can be a schwa sound: /ˈfæməli/
- banana – the first and last a are schwa sounds: /bəˈnænə/
- problem – the e in the second syllable is often weak: /ˈprɒbləm/
- travel – the e is a schwa sound: /ˈtrævəl/
- support – the u is a schwa sound: /səˈpɔːt/
- sofa – the final a is a schwa sound: /ˈsəʊfə/
- celebrate – the second e is often weak: /ˈseləbreɪt/
- teacher – the -er ending has a schwa sound: /ˈtiːtʃə/
- better – the -er ending has a schwa sound: /ˈbetə/
Example Sentences
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She is about to leave for school.
Schwa sound: the first letter a. -
Our family reunion is next week.
Schwa sound: the weak i sound. -
I ate a ripe banana for breakfast.
Schwa sound: the first and last a. -
We need to fix the problem soon.
Schwa sound: the weak vowel in the second syllable. -
They love to travel around the world.
Schwa sound: the final weak e. -
I gave my support to their idea.
Schwa sound: the weak u. -
The sofa is very comfortable.
Schwa sound: the final a. -
We will celebrate her success tomorrow.
Schwa sound: the weak second e. -
My teacher helps me learn new things.
Schwa sound: the -er ending. -
This exercise is getting better.
Schwa sound: the -er ending.