lazy schwa words

We pronounce the highlighted spelling patterns with a lazy schwa vowel in all of the word examples below, and in all contexts – even if a speaker wants to heavily emphasise the word.

con-  connect, confuse, contain, convey, condition, considerate, concern, consistent, confess, confirm, conserve, conservative, consult

com-  computer, compatible, complete, compare, complain, combine, command, compose, community

col- collect, collapsed, collide, collaborate, colossal, colonial, collateral, collusion, collate, 

Honourable mention: correct

lazy schwa sentences:

The computers haven’t connected properly… it’s a bit confusing – it’s saying they’re not compatible.

It contains completely nothing, and conveys no meaning.

The car’s in great condition – the owner was clearly a considerate driver. Did you compare it to the other one?

I’ve complained. I expressed my concerns about the inconsistent service, and they confessed to everything.

If you combine the right commands, the AI composes a new piece of music!

The community hasn’t confirmed anything yet. They’re being pretty conservative and consulting everyone first.

exception words:

con-  condescending, contradictory, conscience, concentrate, context, confident, consequences

com-  complicated, complex

– The examples above have the LOT vowel (so ‘con’ rhymes with the word ‘lot’)

co-  colony, colleague, coalition, coincidence, coherent, co-pilot, co-sign

exception sentences:

Don’t be so condescending – English is complicated and contradictory! Whoever created this language has got no conscience. Until I’ve mastered it, I’ve just got to concentrate on the process, and enjoy the language in context until I get more confident … whatever the consequences!