In case the stem is /r/-initial − as with ferriede/fər+riədə/[fəriədə]to betray− one [r] remains. The unity of the analysis forces us to assume that /r/-deletion operates here, though degemination can do the job as well.

Extra prominence may preserve /r/ from deletion, as in it is FERMAAKLIKit is very, very amusing, entertaining, where fermaaklik/fər+ma:klək/ can be realized as either [fərma:klək] or [fəma:klək].

Curses and/or disguised oaths − like ferdikke/fərdɪkə/, ferdoarje/fərdoərjə/ and ferdomme/fərdomə/, all meaning darn it! or damned!− are generally realized with a fair amount of emphasis. Not only does /r/ not delete here, it also has a prolonged realization. The emotional content of such words seems to be underlined by deviant phonological behaviour.

The initial part fer- of loanwords − like fer'baalverbal, fer'benaverbena, vervain, fermil'joenvermillion, fer'mintferment, fermin'tearjeto ferment, fermi'seljevermicelli, fer'nisvarnish, and ferti'kaalvertical − is realized as [fɛr-]. Since fer- does not bear stress, [ɛ] may reduce to schwa, especially when fer- is immediately followed by the syllable bearing main stress. Reduction, however, does not pave the way for /r/-deletion. The word ferbaal, for instance, can be realized as either [fɛrba:l] or [fərba:l], but not as [*fəba:l]. Deletion appears to be a prerogative of the /r/ of the prefix fer-.