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  • Hi. I'm Tim and this is my Pronunciation workshop. Here I'm gonna show you how English is

  • really spoken. Come on, let's go inside.

  • You know, I've been thinking about decorating my workshop - bringing a little bit of colour to it.

  • But I can't decide between blue or orange. Hmm. Let's ask the people of London.

  • I prefer the blue one to the orange one. I prefer the blue one to the orange one.

  • I prefer the blue one to the orange one.

  • That sounds pretty comprehensive. Blue it is. I'll go in and get the paints. Ooh, but

  • first, let's talk about pronunciation. Now, everybody used the definite article - the - and

  • in each case it wasn't stressed, but the pronunciation was slightly different. I'm gonna go in

  • and get the paints: you listen again and see if you can hear the two different ways the

  • definite article is pronounced. I'll see you inside.

  • I prefer the blue one to the orange one. I prefer the blue one to the orange one.

  • I prefer the blue one to the orange one.

  • If it's not stressed, the pronunciation of the word 'the' will change depending on the

  • word that follows. If the next word begins in a consonant sound, it's pronounced /ðə/.

  • I prefer the blue one. But, if the next word begins in a vowel sound, it's pronounced /ðɪː/.

  • I prefer the orange one. And you might remember from a previous video that when the sound

  • /ɪː/ is followed by a vowel sound, you might also hear a small linking /j/ in between.

  • I prefer the orange one. Here are some more examples.

  • In a restaurant, I always order the apple pie.

  • I think the autumn is the best time of year. The earlier I get up, the happier I am.

  • It's the one over there.

  • So you've heard the examples, and now it's your turn. Listen and repeat.

  • In a restaurant, I always order the apple pie.

  • I think the autumn is the best time of year.

  • The earlier I get up, the happier I am.

  • It's the one over there.

  • Well done. Now remember, if you want to learn more about this subject, then please visit

  • our website, bbclearningenglish.com. And that is about it from the pronunciation workshop

  • for this week. I'll see you soon. Bye bye! Right - let's get cracking on this painting.

  • Now, you know the problem with these paint pots is that the lids aren't always the easiest

  • to open. Ahh! Owww! Eeeshh! Not again!

Hi. I'm Tim and this is my Pronunciation workshop. Here I'm gonna show you how English is

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