“Of” and “off.” Similar spellings, different pronunciations. Did you know that the words “of” and “off” have different vowels? Also, though both are spelled with an “f,” only word contains a /f/ sound. Two things make these “of” and “off” different. Vowel sound Do you remember the difference...
Have you ever had to repeat yourself when saying “fourteen” or “forty,” “seventeen” or “seventy”? Here are some pointers that may help people understand these numbers more easily when you speak. The differences… Stress (sometimes) When you pronounce the word “forty,” primary stress, or emphasis, is placed...
“X” is for “xylophone.” That’s what all the kids learn, anyway. For adults who are learning American English pronunciation, “x” is for /ks/ or /gz/. Two Consonants The letter “x” typically represents TWO sounds, either /ks/ or /gz/. For non-native speakers, it can be tricky to produce...
In your throat, you have a set of vocal folds (or vocal chords). These folds can either be pulled apart or pushed together when producing speech sounds. If you pronounce a sound with your vocal folds pulled apart, the sound will be voiceless. If you...
Pronunciation of “con” and “com” can seem tricky in words like “complete,” “concert,” and “condition.” When do you use /ə/ (“uh”) and when do you use /ɑ/ (“ah”)? Why is the pronunciation different in words with the same spelling pattern? The answer is actually pretty simple. ...
Have you ever noticed that letters in some English words are not pronounced? Here are the top five words that surprise non-native English speakers in my accent training courses. 1. Bomb The “b” in the word “bomb” is silent. Finish this word with an “m.” Other words that...