在英语连贯的说话和朗读中,有些词说得或读得又轻又快,而且较为含糊;有些词则说得或读得又重又慢,而且较为清晰。那些说得或读得响亮清晰的词就是句子的重音所在。
一般来说,在句子中需要重读的词都是实词(content words),例如名词、述词(verbs, 但是 be 和 helping verbs 除外)、形容词、副词、数词、代词(指示代词、反身代词、不定代词、疑问代词)等;不重读的多为虚词(function words)例如冠词(the, a, an)、连词、介词、感叹词、代词(人称代词、物主代词、关系代词)等。
例如:
- The streets are wide and long.
- I am so happy to see you again.
但是,有时候句子中的虚词也要重读,例如:
- 强调或突出某个虚词或 be 时,应将其重读。
- We saw him playing by the river. (特别强调 him)
- We saw him playing by the river. (特别强调 We)
- 介词在句首时往往要重读。
- On my way to school, my bike was broken.
- be 和 helping verbs 和 not 结合时要重读。
- Didn't I tell you already?
- 句子末尾的 be 和 helping verbs 一般要重读。
- -- Are you Chinese? -- Yes, I am.
- -- Have you been there? -- Yes, I have.
- 上文刚出现过并且重读过的词,第二次出现时一般不再重读。
- -- How many pens are in this box? -- There are 10 pens in it. (第一个 pens 重读,第二个 pens 不重读)