Pronunciation of "be-"

Polish speakers of English often mispronounce the initial letters "be-" as simply /bɛ/ or sometimes /bi/. In fact, the pronunciation differs depending on whether the first syllable is stressed and the vowel qualities are quite different from Polish vowels.

Ex. 1 Put the following words in two categories according to how "be-" is pronounced.

a. /bɪ/ b. /be/
because, Bentley, below, become, Belgium, between, Benjamin, bespoke, berry, bemoan, bench, bereave, beneath, best, beseech, before, beckon, begin, beget, bewitch, beyond

Ex. 2 Fill in the gaps with some of the words used in Ex. 1. Put the words in the correct form if necessary.

a. Brussels is the capital of ...................... .

b. Hugh knew he had to either lie to his wife or risk a terrible row. He was ...................... the devil and the deep blue sea.

c. Cruel fate ...................... the family of their youngest child.

d. In yesterday's lecture the professor ...................... the state of education in the digital age.

e. It would be ...................... me/my dignity to beg my boss for a pay rise.

f. The audience were fascinated, as if ......................, as the opera singer sang a difficult aria without a single false note.

g. The king doesn't buy ordinary clothes like common people. He has a ...................... tailor who makes all his garments.

h. Having lost all his money, the aristocrat ...................... his creditors to cancel his debt.

KEY

Ex. 1 a. /bɪ/ because, below, become, between, bespoke, bemoan, bereave, beneath, beseech, before, begin, beget, bewitch, beyond
b. /be/ Bentley, Belgium, Benjamin, berry, bench, best, beckon

Ex. 2 a. Belgium, b. between, c. bereaved/bereft, d. bemoaned, e. beneath, f. bewitched, g. bespoke, h. beseeched/besought