Memorable Schwa Sets:

#4 'I Suppose It's A Success'

Explore more on the English stress pattern described in the video.

This is a multi-part series on 'Selectively Lazy English'. If you're new, you can jump back to the first set of resources ... or start at the very beginning with my intro article.

Your resources for this lesson are just below ...

lazy schwa words

TIP: It's a good idea listen to the audio without looking at the written examples – at least when you start.

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.

sus- sustain, suspense, to suspect (verb form)

su- suppose, suggest, suffice, supply

suc- succeed, succinct

sub- submit, to subject (verb form), subordinate (adj. / noun form), to subordinate (verb form)

lazy schwa sentences:

I suppose we could suggest something else? I suspect [verb form] it won’t suffice though.

She succeeded in sustaining the supply.

The film script was succinct, and added so much suspense.

He was subjected [verb form] to much ridicule.

exception words:

su- suffer, summon, Sunderland, Superman, supervisor, Superdrug

sus- suspect (adj. or noun form)

sub- subject (any non-verb form), subtle*

Watch out: ‘super’ examples have the GOOSE vowel, whereas the others above all have the STRUT vowel. Listen to the audio below and, if in doubt, check Youglish or a dictionary.

exception sentences:

Superman suffered as a supervisor at Superdrug in Sunderland.

The police summoned their main suspect [noun form].

He was the subject [noun form] of much ridicule: some of it obvious, some more subtle*.

* Also note the ‘b’ in ‘subtle’ is silent.