Mispronounced words |Speak New York

English is a notoriously tricky language to master. With so many words borrowed from other languages, spelling, and pronunciation can be a minefield. Even native speakers often mispronounce certain words, and the result can be embarrassing. Here are 11 words in English you might be mispronouncing and how to say them correctly.

Espresso
This is a word that many people mispronounce, often saying “expresso” instead. The correct pronunciation is “es-press-oh.” The word comes from Italian and is spelled with an “s,” not an “x.”

Niche
This is another commonly mispronounced word. It’s pronounced “neesh,” not “nitch.” The word comes from French and is spelled with an “h,” but the “h” is silent.

Often
This is a word that’s often mispronounced, believe it or not. Many people say “off-ten,” but the correct pronunciation is “off-en.” The “t” is silent in this word.

Nuclear
This is a word that’s often mispronounced by politicians and news anchors. The correct pronunciation is “new-klee-er,” not “nuke-yuh-lar.”

Quinoa
This is a word that’s become more popular in recent years as a health food. It’s pronounced “keen-wah,” not “kwin-oh-ah.”

Mischievous
This is a word that many people mispronounce by adding an extra syllable. The correct pronunciation is “miss-chuh-vus,” not “miss-chee-vee-us.”

Sherbet
This is a word that’s often mispronounced as “sher-bert.” The correct pronunciation is “sher-bit.” There’s no “r” in the second syllable.

Worcestershire
This is a word that’s famously difficult to pronounce. It’s pronounced “woos-ter-sher,” not “wor-chest-er-shire.” The word comes from England, and the correct pronunciation is the British way.

February
This is a word that many people mispronounce by leaving out the first “r.” The correct pronunciation is “feb-roo-ary,” not “feb-yoo-ary.”

Library
This is a word that’s often mispronounced as “lie-berry.” The correct pronunciation is “li-brer-ee.” There’s no “y” sound in this word.

Clothes
This is a word that many people mispronounce by leaving out the “th” sound. The correct pronunciation is “klohz,” not “kloze.”

These are just a few examples of words in English that are commonly mispronounced. If you’re not sure how to say a word, it’s always a good idea to look it up in a dictionary or use a pronunciation guide. With a little practice, you’ll soon be speaking English like a native!
While these 11 words are some of the most commonly mispronounced words in English, there are many other words that can also be tricky to say correctly. One of the reasons for this is that English has many silent letters, which can make it difficult to know how to pronounce a word just by looking at it.

Another reason is that English borrows words from many different languages, each with its own pronunciation rules. For example, “cafe” is pronounced “ka-fey” in French, but many English speakers pronounce it “kafe.”

Fortunately, there are some general rules that can help you pronounce words correctly in English. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Pay attention to the vowel sounds
English has many different vowel sounds, and getting them right can make a big difference in how a word is pronounced. For example, the “a” in “cat” is pronounced differently than the “a” in “cake.” Listen carefully to the vowel sounds in words and try to reproduce them accurately.

Watch out for silent letters
English is notorious for having many silent letters, which can make it difficult to know how to pronounce a word just by looking at it. For example, the “h” in “hour” is silent, and the “w” in “answer” is silent. Make sure to look up the pronunciation of unfamiliar words to avoid mispronouncing them.

Pay attention to stress
In English, certain syllables in words are stressed more heavily than others. For example, in the word “banana,” the stress is on the second syllable (ba-NAN-a). Paying attention to stress can help you pronounce words more accurately.

Practice!
Like any skill, pronunciation takes practice. Make a habit of listening carefully to how words are pronounced, and don’t be afraid to ask native speakers for help if you’re unsure. With time and practice, you’ll become more confident in your pronunciation abilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, English can be a challenging language to master, especially when it comes to pronunciation. However, with a little attention to detail and practice, you can improve your pronunciation skills and avoid embarrassing mispronunciations. So keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

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