September 19, 2018 at 00:02English words whose pronunciation is always confused
- Tutorial
Every day, native speakers and students mispronounce English words, and do not even think about it. In order not to become a noob in English and speak it correctly, we have prepared a list of words with the pronunciation of which the most difficulties arise. Let's rock them, dudes!
ACAI
If suddenly, while in New York, we decided to drop into a local smoothie shop to treat ourselves to a cocktail with acai berries, then in no case do you speak English: ah + SIGH + berry, ACK + ah + ee or ah + KAI. Remember that the stress always falls on the third or last syllable: ah + sigh + EE [asʌɪˈi].
APPLICABLE
English adjective “applicable” - suitable begins with “app - application”, let it be a reminder where to put emphasis: APP + lic + able ['æplɪkəbl], but not a + PLICK + able.
ARCTIC
More attention to the first consonant "s". English learners often skip this letter, and the result is ART + ick, because consonant with "antarctic - antarctic", the correct option: ARC-tic ['ɑː®ktɪk] - arctic.
CACHE
No, this is not an insidious word that comes from the French language. The tendency to speak cash + AY lies in the pronunciation of the similar word “cachet ['kæʃeɪ] is a sign”, while “cache [kæʃ] is a cache”.
ELECTORAL
Apparently, this is the most unloved word in America for 2016; e + LEK + tor + al [ɪ'lekt (ə) r (ə) l] - elective / selective, not at all e + lek + TOR + al.
FEBRUARY
Indeed, this month is pronounced FEB + ru + ar + ree ['fɛbrʊəri] - February, but not FEB + ru + ree or FEB + ar + ree.
FORTE
Music gurus can pronounce this word as for + TAY. And if you mean the composer's note to play a piece of music lively and loudly, then everything is ok. Nevertheless, if reading notes from a sheet is your strong point, here also means “forte”, only the transcription is already [ˈfȯrt].
FOYER
And again, the habit of speaking French. However, meeting guests at foy + AY will not make a better first impression. Remember: the lobby is FOY + ur [ˈfȯi (ə) r].
GALA
An example of a word where the sound “ay” on the contrary will have to be in place. If you attend a gala event, then this is GAY + luh ['geɪlə], but not GAL + uh.
GENRE This
word is often used, but only a few know that “genre is genus / species / genre” will be ZHON + ruh [ʒɔŋrə], but not JEN + ner.
Gyro
A delicious Greek shawarma with pork and tomato sauce should not sound like gyroscope [ˈdʒaırə, skəʊp]. Valid options are YEE + roh ['yērəʊ] or ZHIHR + oh [' zhirəʊ].
HYPERBOLE
No jokes, the word hy + PER + ba + lee [haɪ'pɜːb (ə) lɪ], consisting of four syllables, has nothing to do with the “bowl” due to Greek roots. Interesting fact: the antonym of hyperbole is considered to be “litotes - litota”, which is pronounced as LYE-tuh-teez [laɪ'təutiːz].
LIABLE
Do not confuse the meaning of the following legal terms: “liability - liability / obligation”, thus “liable - responsible”, LIE + a + ble ['laɪəb (ə) l]; but “libel [ˈlaıbǝl] - defamation / slander”.
LIBRARY
The same story as with the word February, successive sounds of "r" cause a lot of inconvenience when pronouncing even among college professors and politicians. However, always LIE + brare + ee ['laɪbr (ə) rɪ] is a library.
MAUVE
Whether or not you like the trendy mauve of 2018, say MAWV [məuv], but not [ˈmov].
MEME
Long before Grumpy Cat conquered instagram, in 1976 a British scientist invented the word "meme - a unit of cultural inheritance." Although we read this word more often than we pronounce, we mean: not mee-mee, may-may or even mem, but always MEEM [miːm].
MISCHIEVOUS
Another pronunciation mistake that is inextricably linked with the spelling. However, do not add the extra “i” as in mis + CHEEV + i + ous, only MIS + chiv + ous ['mɪsʧɪvəs] - mischievous / naughty.
OFTEN
Believe it or not, pronouncing the consonant “t” in a word is considered incorrect, at least according to Merriam-Webster. Although the option OFF + ten compared to OFF + en is supposedly unacceptable and controversial, many Americans and other neutives say so.
NICHE
Although NEESH [niːʃ] is quite common, but NITCH [nɪtʃ] is the well-established and popular option when it comes to a particular place or field of activity.
Nuclear
The American presidents: Bush, Clinton, Carter and Eisenhower had obvious problems with the pronunciation of this seemingly straightforward word. It turned out NEAR-clew instead of NEW-clear ['njuːklɪə] - nuclear. This is due to a linguistic phenomenon - metathesis (permutation of syllables / sounds).
PIZZA
With pepperoni and parmesan or king prawns and mozzarella, but pizza in English is not PI + za at all, but only PEET + suh ['piːtsə].
PRELUDE
Although sometimes an ecclesiastical short piece of music is meant, the first syllable is not pronounced in any way as in the word “pray”. The noun and the verb "prelude" come from the Latin "praeludere", which means to play well in advance. Thus PREL + yood ['preljuːd] is a prelude, the beginning / introduction.
REGARDLESS
Although the inactive people use "irregardless" instead of "regardless", but if you decide to use the second, then only re + GUARD + less [rɪ'gɑːdləs], not [ˌɪrɪ'gɑːdləs].
PRONUNCIATION
By the way, not everyone pronounces the word “pronunciation” - the pronunciation is correct, probably because everyone seems to have the syllable “noun”, although this is not so. Therefore: pro + NUN + see + a + shun [prəˌnʌn (t) sɪ'eɪʃ (ə) n].
REALTOR
Another case where the brain is trying to spell a word, also add a vowel for convenience: REE + la + tur. So, when looking for new housing in England, for example, you can easily pass for a phonetic noob. Be careful, the correct option is: REEL + tur ['riːltə].
REGIME
This refers to political preferences, system, power or not, but never pronounce “regime” as RUH + geem, only RAY + geem [reɪ'ʒiːm].
SHERBET
Let's finally clarify the situation with sherbet and sherbert. The word sorbet (oriental drink) comes from the Turkish “şerbet” and the Persian “sharbat”, therefore in the last syllable there will never be a consonant “r”. The fruit dessert with sugar and ice will be “sorbet” - sor-BAY ['sɔːbeɪ], but not “sherbet” - SHOR-bet [' ʃɜːbət].
STATUS
If you have pronounced “status” as STAH-tus throughout your life, you are not alone. However, it’s never too late to fix it: STAY + tus ['steɪtəs].
SUIT
Your hotel room is probably pretty sweet, unlike a work suit. Don't even think about saying something like sue-TAY, just SWEET [swiːt].
TRANSIENT
The word transient means fleeting / fleeting, however, by mistake, many say tran + ZEE + ent, but you need TRAN + shent [ˈtrænʃənt].
TRIATHLON
Athletes who take part in the triathlon are awesome, however, this kind of competition is never pronounced as tri-ATH-a-lon, only tri + ATH + len [trʌɪ'aθllən].
VALET
Remember Downton Abbey, where heroes often turn to valets. The word sounds more British VAL + it ['vælɪt] than the French val + AY.
Many phonetic errors arise due to the fact that we often believe: high speed of speech = fluency in a foreign language. Do not run ahead of the engine, knowledge and fluency come with time. Do not rush, pronounce the words, and if in doubt, be sure to check the pronunciation of the word in the dictionary.
Reader Bonuses
Leave a request for a free introductory lesson via Skype8 and receive a free present for the first payment with the goodhabr2 promo code +2 lessons. The bonus is valid until 05/31/19.
And if you prefer to learn the language yourself, try our online course , following the link - 2 months of subscription to all courses for free.
ACAI
If suddenly, while in New York, we decided to drop into a local smoothie shop to treat ourselves to a cocktail with acai berries, then in no case do you speak English: ah + SIGH + berry, ACK + ah + ee or ah + KAI. Remember that the stress always falls on the third or last syllable: ah + sigh + EE [asʌɪˈi].
APPLICABLE
English adjective “applicable” - suitable begins with “app - application”, let it be a reminder where to put emphasis: APP + lic + able ['æplɪkəbl], but not a + PLICK + able.
ARCTIC
More attention to the first consonant "s". English learners often skip this letter, and the result is ART + ick, because consonant with "antarctic - antarctic", the correct option: ARC-tic ['ɑː®ktɪk] - arctic.
CACHE
No, this is not an insidious word that comes from the French language. The tendency to speak cash + AY lies in the pronunciation of the similar word “cachet ['kæʃeɪ] is a sign”, while “cache [kæʃ] is a cache”.
ELECTORAL
Apparently, this is the most unloved word in America for 2016; e + LEK + tor + al [ɪ'lekt (ə) r (ə) l] - elective / selective, not at all e + lek + TOR + al.
FEBRUARY
Indeed, this month is pronounced FEB + ru + ar + ree ['fɛbrʊəri] - February, but not FEB + ru + ree or FEB + ar + ree.
FORTE
Music gurus can pronounce this word as for + TAY. And if you mean the composer's note to play a piece of music lively and loudly, then everything is ok. Nevertheless, if reading notes from a sheet is your strong point, here also means “forte”, only the transcription is already [ˈfȯrt].
FOYER
And again, the habit of speaking French. However, meeting guests at foy + AY will not make a better first impression. Remember: the lobby is FOY + ur [ˈfȯi (ə) r].
GALA
An example of a word where the sound “ay” on the contrary will have to be in place. If you attend a gala event, then this is GAY + luh ['geɪlə], but not GAL + uh.
GENRE This
word is often used, but only a few know that “genre is genus / species / genre” will be ZHON + ruh [ʒɔŋrə], but not JEN + ner.
Gyro
A delicious Greek shawarma with pork and tomato sauce should not sound like gyroscope [ˈdʒaırə, skəʊp]. Valid options are YEE + roh ['yērəʊ] or ZHIHR + oh [' zhirəʊ].
HYPERBOLE
No jokes, the word hy + PER + ba + lee [haɪ'pɜːb (ə) lɪ], consisting of four syllables, has nothing to do with the “bowl” due to Greek roots. Interesting fact: the antonym of hyperbole is considered to be “litotes - litota”, which is pronounced as LYE-tuh-teez [laɪ'təutiːz].
LIABLE
Do not confuse the meaning of the following legal terms: “liability - liability / obligation”, thus “liable - responsible”, LIE + a + ble ['laɪəb (ə) l]; but “libel [ˈlaıbǝl] - defamation / slander”.
LIBRARY
The same story as with the word February, successive sounds of "r" cause a lot of inconvenience when pronouncing even among college professors and politicians. However, always LIE + brare + ee ['laɪbr (ə) rɪ] is a library.
MAUVE
Whether or not you like the trendy mauve of 2018, say MAWV [məuv], but not [ˈmov].
MEME
Long before Grumpy Cat conquered instagram, in 1976 a British scientist invented the word "meme - a unit of cultural inheritance." Although we read this word more often than we pronounce, we mean: not mee-mee, may-may or even mem, but always MEEM [miːm].
MISCHIEVOUS
Another pronunciation mistake that is inextricably linked with the spelling. However, do not add the extra “i” as in mis + CHEEV + i + ous, only MIS + chiv + ous ['mɪsʧɪvəs] - mischievous / naughty.
OFTEN
Believe it or not, pronouncing the consonant “t” in a word is considered incorrect, at least according to Merriam-Webster. Although the option OFF + ten compared to OFF + en is supposedly unacceptable and controversial, many Americans and other neutives say so.
NICHE
Although NEESH [niːʃ] is quite common, but NITCH [nɪtʃ] is the well-established and popular option when it comes to a particular place or field of activity.
Nuclear
The American presidents: Bush, Clinton, Carter and Eisenhower had obvious problems with the pronunciation of this seemingly straightforward word. It turned out NEAR-clew instead of NEW-clear ['njuːklɪə] - nuclear. This is due to a linguistic phenomenon - metathesis (permutation of syllables / sounds).
PIZZA
With pepperoni and parmesan or king prawns and mozzarella, but pizza in English is not PI + za at all, but only PEET + suh ['piːtsə].
PRELUDE
Although sometimes an ecclesiastical short piece of music is meant, the first syllable is not pronounced in any way as in the word “pray”. The noun and the verb "prelude" come from the Latin "praeludere", which means to play well in advance. Thus PREL + yood ['preljuːd] is a prelude, the beginning / introduction.
REGARDLESS
Although the inactive people use "irregardless" instead of "regardless", but if you decide to use the second, then only re + GUARD + less [rɪ'gɑːdləs], not [ˌɪrɪ'gɑːdləs].
PRONUNCIATION
By the way, not everyone pronounces the word “pronunciation” - the pronunciation is correct, probably because everyone seems to have the syllable “noun”, although this is not so. Therefore: pro + NUN + see + a + shun [prəˌnʌn (t) sɪ'eɪʃ (ə) n].
REALTOR
Another case where the brain is trying to spell a word, also add a vowel for convenience: REE + la + tur. So, when looking for new housing in England, for example, you can easily pass for a phonetic noob. Be careful, the correct option is: REEL + tur ['riːltə].
REGIME
This refers to political preferences, system, power or not, but never pronounce “regime” as RUH + geem, only RAY + geem [reɪ'ʒiːm].
SHERBET
Let's finally clarify the situation with sherbet and sherbert. The word sorbet (oriental drink) comes from the Turkish “şerbet” and the Persian “sharbat”, therefore in the last syllable there will never be a consonant “r”. The fruit dessert with sugar and ice will be “sorbet” - sor-BAY ['sɔːbeɪ], but not “sherbet” - SHOR-bet [' ʃɜːbət].
STATUS
If you have pronounced “status” as STAH-tus throughout your life, you are not alone. However, it’s never too late to fix it: STAY + tus ['steɪtəs].
SUIT
Your hotel room is probably pretty sweet, unlike a work suit. Don't even think about saying something like sue-TAY, just SWEET [swiːt].
TRANSIENT
The word transient means fleeting / fleeting, however, by mistake, many say tran + ZEE + ent, but you need TRAN + shent [ˈtrænʃənt].
TRIATHLON
Athletes who take part in the triathlon are awesome, however, this kind of competition is never pronounced as tri-ATH-a-lon, only tri + ATH + len [trʌɪ'aθllən].
VALET
Remember Downton Abbey, where heroes often turn to valets. The word sounds more British VAL + it ['vælɪt] than the French val + AY.
Many phonetic errors arise due to the fact that we often believe: high speed of speech = fluency in a foreign language. Do not run ahead of the engine, knowledge and fluency come with time. Do not rush, pronounce the words, and if in doubt, be sure to check the pronunciation of the word in the dictionary.
Reader Bonuses
Leave a request for a free introductory lesson via Skype8 and receive a free present for the first payment with the goodhabr2 promo code +2 lessons. The bonus is valid until 05/31/19.
And if you prefer to learn the language yourself, try our online course , following the link - 2 months of subscription to all courses for free.