Pronunciation of "The"

[anupumh]

Hi,

What is the correct pronunciation of "the"?

Does it have a long vowel sound "ee" or a schwa at the end?

Is there a rule?

I have heard there is a rule however, it is obselete and is not followed, am I correct?

Thanks

[sash2008]

Yes, it has a long vowel sound "ee" when the following word begins with a vowel.

[anupumh]

Yes, it has a long vowel sound "ee" when the following word begins with a vowel.

And when it begins with a consonant sound??

[sash2008]

before a consonant : a schwa at the end.

[anupumh]

before a consonant : a schwa at the end.

I heard from someone the the distinction is blurred and to simplify things, it is advised to always use the "The" with a schwa at the end...
"The" with long ee sound though can be used to emphasise and stress on something..

[sash2008]

In all cases the correct pronunciation of "the" is a schwa at the end. Only when the following word begins with a vowel, it must be pronounced with the short sound /I/ or the long sound /i:/.

[Soup]

I heard from someone the the distinction is blurred and to simplify things, it is advised to always use the "The" with a schwa at the end...
"The" with long ee sound though can be used to emphasise and stress on something..

Have a look here.

[yiuho]

Hi,

What is the correct pronunciation of "the"?

Does it have a long vowel sound "ee" or a schwa at the end?

Is there a rule?

I have heard there is a rule however, it is obselete and is not followed, am I correct?

Thanks

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

the /ðə ; before vowels ði ; strong ðiː /