Understanding and practicing syncope to improve English speaking and listening skills

The reductions or eliminations of sounds by dropping syllables in the middle of the word is called syncope.

For example, while speaking written word ‘favorite,’ the o-syllable is dropped and it is spoken as ‘fav-rit.’   The dropped syllable is usually kept unstressed while speaking.

For words ending with “-ally” frequently have that second-to-last syllable dropped. The word accidentally is spoken as aksiden'tly', totally as to‘tly’ and basically is spoken as basik’ly’

In the words such as business, chocolate, memory, family;  the second vowel is dropped totally from the pronunciation.

Here is a list of words in the box to practice syncope by school children learning English as second language