Lapwing for Beginners · Study reference

Collected steno briefs

Every “Chapter briefs” and “Extra briefs” table, the explicitly labelled briefs in Chapter 16, and later brief sections, collected in one place. Also includes shortened prefix examples, contractions, and the phrase examples and component chords taught in Chapter 24.

258 entries across 15 chapters. All 26 chapters checked. Original alternative outlines are retained; repeated entries stay with each source chapter. This is a reference to the guide’s briefs, not the entire Lapwing dictionary or every regular word used in exercises.

258 entries

Word / translationSteno outlineMnemonic / noteSource
areR or -RSounds like the letter “R”Chapter 5Chapter briefs
didTKd idChapter 5Chapter briefs
doTKOMatches the spellingChapter 5Chapter briefs
IEUMatches the spellingChapter 5Chapter briefs
isSCommon word for a single key briefChapter 5Chapter briefs
soSOMatches the spellingChapter 5Chapter briefs
the-TCommon word for a single key briefChapter 5Chapter briefs
youUSounds like the letter “U”Chapter 5Chapter briefs
.TP-PLSymmetrical shape for the period/full stop.Chapter 5Chapter briefs
?KW-PLShape resembles a rising intonation.Chapter 5Chapter briefs
did youTKUTK + UChapter 5Extra briefs
do youTKOUTKO + UChapter 5Extra briefs
is theS-TS + -TChapter 5Extra briefs
so theSOTSO + -TChapter 5Extra briefs
are theR-TR + -TChapter 5Extra briefs
are youRUR + UChapter 5Extra briefs
againTKPWEPBDrops the first vowelChapter 6Chapter briefs
andSKPCompletely arbitrary, but useful in phrasesChapter 6Chapter briefs
askSKDrops the first vowelChapter 6Chapter briefs
beforePW-FRDrops all vowelsChapter 6Chapter briefs
haveSRha v eChapter 6Chapter briefs
itTi tChapter 6Chapter briefs
noTPHOMatches the spellingChapter 6Chapter briefs
saidSEDCompletely phoneticChapter 6Chapter briefs
verySREve ryChapter 6Chapter briefs
and youSKPUSKP + UChapter 6Extra briefs
and ISKPEUSKP + EUChapter 6Extra briefs
and theSKP-TSKP + -TChapter 6Extra briefs
have youSRUSR + UChapter 6Extra briefs
is itSTS + TChapter 6Extra briefs
it isT-ST + -S (for “is”)Chapter 6Extra briefs
aAEUSounds like the letter “A”Chapter 7Chapter briefs
canKSingle key brief for a common wordChapter 7Chapter briefs
forTP-RDrops the vowelChapter 7Chapter briefs
inTPHi nChapter 7Chapter briefs
ifTPi fChapter 7Chapter briefs
newTPHUThe proper long u TPHAOU vowel is reserved for the word “knew”Chapter 7Chapter briefs
toTOMatches the spellingChapter 7Chapter briefs
twoTWOMatches the spellingChapter 7Chapter briefs
,KW-BGSymmetrical shape like the period/full stop.Chapter 7Chapter briefs
!TP-BGShape resembles a lowering intonation (not accurate to the exclamation mark, but contrasts with the question mark).Chapter 7Chapter briefs
for theTP-RTTP-R + -tChapter 7Extra briefs
can youKUK + UChapter 7Extra briefs
in theTPH-TTPH + -TChapter 7Extra briefs
if theTP-TTP + -TChapter 7Extra briefs
to theTOTTO + -TChapter 7Extra briefs
hadHSingle key brief for a common wordChapter 8Chapter briefs
peoplePSingle key brief for a common wordChapter 8Chapter briefs
thisTHth isChapter 8Chapter briefs
thereTHRth e r eChapter 8Chapter briefs
whenWHwh enChapter 8Chapter briefs
whyKWHKWH is the initial “y” chordChapter 8Chapter briefs
willHRwi llChapter 8Chapter briefs
withWSingle key brief for a common wordChapter 8Chapter briefs
Enter or ReturnR-Rr etu r n (equivalent to pressing Enter or Return on a keyboard).Chapter 8Chapter briefs
Capitalize the next word and suppress a spaceKPA*This useful for starting new sentences in text fields where you don’t want a leading space.Chapter 8Chapter briefs
had theH-TH + -TChapter 8Extra briefs
this isTH-STH + -SChapter 8Extra briefs
there isTHR-STHR + -SChapter 8Extra briefs
there’sTHR*STHR + -S + *Chapter 8Extra briefs
there areTHR-RTHR + -RChapter 8Extra briefs
there’reTHR*RTHR + -R + *Chapter 8Extra briefs
when isWH-SWH + -SChapter 8Extra briefs
when’sWH*SWH + -S + *Chapter 8Extra briefs
when areWH-RWH + -RChapter 8Extra briefs
why isKWH-SKWH + -SChapter 8Extra briefs
why’sKWH*SKWH + -S + *Chapter 8Extra briefs
why areKWH-RKWH + RChapter 8Extra briefs
will theHR-THR + -TChapter 8Extra briefs
will youHRUHR + UChapter 8Extra briefs
aboutPWa b outChapter 9Chapter briefs
afterAFaf terChapter 9Chapter briefs
thatTHADrops the last consonant to be useful in phrasesChapter 9Chapter briefs
theirTHAEURChapter 9Chapter briefs
wereWRw e r eChapter 9Chapter briefs
whatWHADrops the last consonant to be useful in phrasesChapter 9Chapter briefs
whichWEUDrops the last consonantChapter 9Chapter briefs
whoWHOMatches the spellingChapter 9Chapter briefs
Enter (and capitalize next word)R*RChapter 9Chapter briefs
about thePW-TPW + -TChapter 9Extra briefs
that theTHATTHA + -TChapter 9Extra briefs
what theWHATWHA + -TChapter 9Extra briefs
what youWHAUWHA + UChapter 9Extra briefs
were theWR-TWR + -TChapter 9Extra briefs
were youWRUWR + UChapter 9Extra briefs
who theWHOTWHO + TChapter 9Extra briefs
be-BSingle key brief for a common wordChapter 10Chapter briefs
beenPW-PBDrops the vowelChapter 10Chapter briefs
differTKEUFRDrops the second vowel ( using -FR for the “f_r” sound is a common briefing technique )Chapter 10Chapter briefs
evenAOEFPBDrops the second vowelChapter 10Chapter briefs
of-FSingle key brief for a common wordChapter 10Chapter briefs
oneWUPBNot so much a brief as just an odd wordChapter 10Chapter briefs
onlyOEPBLonl yChapter 10Chapter briefs
selfSEFLUses an inversion of steno orderChapter 10Chapter briefs
theyTHEthe yChapter 10Chapter briefs
thinkTHEUthi nk (easier to write than TH*EUPBG )Chapter 10Chapter briefs
they areTHERTHE + -RChapter 10Extra briefs
they’reTH*ERTHE + -R + *Chapter 10Extra briefs
one ofWUFPBWUPB + -FChapter 10Extra briefs
everyEFRev e r yChapter 11Chapter briefs
firstTPEUFRTUses an inversion of steno order ( -R and -F are swapped) with the -F representing “s”Chapter 11Chapter briefs
followTPOLfol lowChapter 11Chapter briefs
whereW-Rw he r eChapter 11Chapter briefs
couldKUDChapter 11Chapter briefs
wouldWUDChapter 11Chapter briefs
shouldSHUDChapter 11Chapter briefs
throughTHRUTHRAOU is the word “threw”Chapter 11Chapter briefs
everyoneEFRPBEFR + -PBChapter 11Extra briefs
everywhereWEFRBEFR + W-RChapter 11Extra briefs
where theW-RTW-R + -TChapter 11Extra briefs
through theTHRUTTHRU + -TChapter 11Extra briefs
alsoHR-Sa ls oChapter 12Chapter briefs
animalPHAPBLVarious vowels dropped and steno order out the wazoo (“anml” → “manl”)Chapter 12Chapter briefs
anyTPHEUFirst vowel dropped and EU used as the long e soundChapter 12Chapter briefs
helpHEPDropped “l” consonantChapter 12Chapter briefs
otherOERDropped “th” consonantChapter 12Chapter briefs
motherPHO*RTFolded -R key is in the middle of the word, but represents a sound on the endChapter 12Chapter briefs
motherPHOERDrops the “th” consonantChapter 12Chapter briefs
yourKWHURThe initial “y” consonant was recently changed. If KWHUR does not output correctly, you can either use the lookup tool to learn a different brief, or update your dictionary and relearn the initial “y” chord as KWH .Chapter 12Chapter briefs
manyPHA*EPBChapter 12Chapter briefs
anyoneTPHEUPBTPHEU + -PBChapter 12Extra briefs
anythingTPHEUGTPHEU + -G ( -G is used for “-ing”)Chapter 12Extra briefs
auto^OEUTExample: automate → OEUT/PHAEUT. Full prefix: AU/TOE.Chapter 13Shortened prefixes
the-TChapter 16Common-word briefs
of-FChapter 16Common-word briefs
toTOChapter 16Common-word briefs
andSKPChapter 16Common-word briefs
inTPHChapter 16Common-word briefs
isSChapter 16Common-word briefs
itTChapter 16Common-word briefs
youUChapter 16Common-word briefs
thatTHAChapter 16Common-word briefs
forTP-RChapter 16Common-word briefs
onAUPB or O*PBChapter 16Common-word briefs
areR or -RChapter 16Common-word briefs
withWChapter 16Common-word briefs
IEUChapter 16Common-word briefs
theyTHEChapter 16Common-word briefs
be-BChapter 16Common-word briefs
haveSRChapter 16Common-word briefs
thisTHChapter 16Common-word briefs
orAOUR or AURChapter 16Common-word briefs
hadHChapter 16Common-word briefs
byPWEUChapter 16Common-word briefs
whatWHAChapter 16Common-word briefs
thereTHRChapter 16Common-word briefs
canKChapter 16Common-word briefs
outAOUT or O*UTChapter 16Common-word briefs
otherOERChapter 16Common-word briefs
wereWRChapter 16Common-word briefs
whenWHChapter 16Common-word briefs
saidSEDChapter 16Common-word briefs
whichWEU or KHChapter 16Common-word briefs
doTKOChapter 16Common-word briefs
ifTPChapter 16Common-word briefs
willHRChapter 16Common-word briefs
aboutPWChapter 16Common-word briefs
manyPHA*EPBChapter 16Common-word briefs
soSOChapter 16Common-word briefs
twoTWOChapter 16Common-word briefs
didTKChapter 16Common-word briefs
noTPHOChapter 16Common-word briefs
whoWHOChapter 16Common-word briefs
overAUFRChapter 16Common-word briefs
firstTPEUFRTChapter 16Common-word briefs
peoplePChapter 16Common-word briefs
mayPHAEUChapter 16Common-word briefs
beenPW-PBChapter 16Common-word briefs
anyTPHEUChapter 16Common-word briefs
newTPHUChapter 16Common-word briefs
whereW-RChapter 16Common-word briefs
afterAF or AFRChapter 16Common-word briefs
littleHREULChapter 16Common-word briefs
onlyOEPBLChapter 16Common-word briefs
everyEFRChapter 16Common-word briefs
underTPH-PB or UPBDChapter 16Common-word briefs
verySREChapter 16Common-word briefs
throughTHRUChapter 16Common-word briefs
thinkTHEUChapter 16Common-word briefs
helpHEPChapter 16Common-word briefs
beforePW-FRChapter 16Common-word briefs
differTKEUFRChapter 16Common-word briefs
sentenceSTEPBSChapter 16Common-word briefs
alsoHR-SChapter 16Common-word briefs
evenAOEFPBChapter 16Common-word briefs
followTPOLChapter 16Common-word briefs
whyKWHChapter 16Common-word briefs
askSKChapter 16Common-word briefs
offAUFChapter 16Common-word briefs
pictureP*EUFPChapter 16Common-word briefs
tryTREUChapter 16Common-word briefs
againTKPWEPBChapter 16Common-word briefs
animalPHAPBL or APB/PHALChapter 16Common-word briefs
motherPHOER or PHO*RTChapter 16Common-word briefs
selfSEFLChapter 16Common-word briefs
fatherTPA*URTChapter 16Common-word briefs
auto^OEUTFull form: AU/TOE. Example: automate → OEUT/PHAEUT.Chapter 17Shortened prefixes
inter^EURPBTFull form: EUPB/TER. Example: internet → EURPBT/TPHET.Chapter 17Shortened prefixes
para^PA*RFull form: PAEUR/KWRA. Example: paradise → PA*R/TKAOEUS.Chapter 17Shortened prefixes
super^SAOURPFull form: SAOU/PER. Example: supermarket → SAOURP/PHARBGT.Chapter 17Shortened prefixes
tele^T*ELFull form: TE/HRE. Example: telecommunication → T*EL/KPHAOUPB/KAEUGS.Chapter 17Shortened prefixes
metrePHAO*ERTUK spelling; the guide suggests adding * to an existing brief where possible.Chapter 21UK briefs
organiseO*RGUK spelling; the guide suggests adding * to an existing brief where possible.Chapter 21UK briefs
neighbourTPHA*EURBUK spelling; the guide suggests adding * to an existing brief where possible.Chapter 21UK briefs
he’sHAO*ESChapter 22Contractions
he’llHAO*ELChapter 22Contractions
we’reWAO*ERChapter 22Contractions
who’sWHO*SChapter 22Contractions
what’sWHA*SChapter 22Contractions
that’sTHA*SChapter 22Contractions
personalPERPBLper so n a lChapter 23Learning briefs
I thinkSWR-PBGUses Jeff’s phrasingChapter 23Learning briefs
wheneverWH-FRThe briefs of “when” + “ever”Chapter 23Learning briefs
youUChapter 23Learning briefs
that isTHASChapter 23Learning briefs
thisTHChapter 23Learning briefs
intoTPHAOin t oChapter 23Learning briefs
requiringRAOEUR/-Gr equ ir ingChapter 23Learning briefs
fingerTPEURPBG-R foldingChapter 23Learning briefs
syllableSEUBLsy lla bl eChapter 23Learning briefs
is itST“is” + “it”Chapter 24Basic phrase briefs
is theS-T“is” + “the”Chapter 24Basic phrase briefs
and theSKP-T“and” + “the”Chapter 24Basic phrase briefs
and heSKPE“and” + EChapter 24Basic phrase briefs
and ISKPEU“and” + EUChapter 24Basic phrase briefs
and youSKPU“and” + “you”Chapter 24Basic phrase briefs
at theTEa t th e (this one is quite arbitrary)Chapter 24Basic phrase briefs
it isT-S“it” + -SChapter 24Basic phrase briefs
in theTPH-T“in” + “the”Chapter 24Basic phrase briefs
ISWRPronoun component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
sheSKWHRPronoun component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
heKWHRPronoun component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
theyTWHPronoun component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
weTWRPronoun component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
itKPWHPronoun component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
go-GVerb component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
find-PBLGVerb component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
want-PVerb component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
need-RPGVerb component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
canAModifier word component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
shallOModifier word component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
willAOModifier word component; combine with other chords, not a standalone phrase brief.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing chords
I needSWR-RPGRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
she needsSKWHR-RPGRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
they wantTWH-PRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
it wantsKPWH-PRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
I neededSWR-RPGDRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
she neededSKWHR-RPGDRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
they wantedTWH-PDRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
it wantedKPWH-PDRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
I didn’t needSWR*RPGDRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
she doesn’t needSKWHR*RPGRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
they don’t wantTWH*PRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
it didn’t wantKPWH*PDRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
I should needSWRORPGDRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
she will needSKWHRAORPGRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
they shouldn’t wantTWHO*PDRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples
it shall wantKPWHOPRequires Jeff’s phrasing dictionary.Chapter 24Jeff’s phrasing examples

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Coverage and notation

A hyphen separates left and right keys when needed; / separates successive strokes; * is the asterisk key. “or” indicates alternatives. Prefixes use ^. Jeff’s phrasing component chords are separately labelled and require that dictionary; they are not ordinary standalone word briefs. Mnemonics describe these entries and are not general phonetic rules.

Chapters with zero entries have no brief list extracted here. Normal write-outs, general theory rules, fingerspelling, complete punctuation lists, and editing commands are outside this compilation; punctuation and commands explicitly present in chapter brief tables are included.