Introduction
Learning to say English words correctly can be difficult. This is because English has so many words that don't follow the usual rules of pronunciation.
Also, some words in English come from other languages. 'Rendezvous', for example, comes from French.
Others are English place names (cities, towns, or states) that are hard to say. UK place names such as Leicester, or Worcestershire are good examples.
Even native English speakers can find English pronunciation confusing sometimes. So, you're not alone!
In this article, I'll give you 30 English words that people often say wrong. I'll teach you the right way to say them.
Here's what I include for each word:
the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) characters to help you pronounce it - if you know the IPA.
an incorrect pronunciation (not using IPA)
a correct pronunciation (also not using IPA)
So, whether:
you love learning languages,
you've just started to learn English
or you've learned English for a while,
this list will help you speak more clearly and avoid mistakes.
Here, now are the 30 most mispronounced words in English, in alphabetical order.
Accessory /əkˈsesəri/
Incorrect: ah-seh-suh-ree
Correct: uhk-seh-suh-ree
Boutique /buːˈtiːk/
Incorrect: boh-teek
Correct: boo-teek
Cache (verb) /kæʃ/
Incorrect: kash-ay (but see below)
Correct: kash
What is the difference between 'cache' and 'cachet' (both are nouns)?
A 'cache' is a group of things that are hidden, and is pronounced like "cash" or 'kaysh'.
'Cachet' can mean 'prestige', 'medicine to be swallowed', or 'an official seal', and is pronounced /ˈkaʃeɪ/ or "cash-ay."
Chaos /keɪɒs/
Incorrect: Cha-os
Correct: Kay-os
Coup /kuː/
Incorrect: koo-p
Correct: koo
Coupon /kuːpɒn/
Incorrect: que-pon
Correct: koo-pon
Cupboard /kʌbəd/
Incorrect: cup-bawd
Correct: kuh-buhd
Epitome /ɪˈpɪtəmi/
Incorrect: e-pi-toe-m (the 'e' as in 'egg')
Correct: e-pit-uh-mee
Espresso /eˈspresəʊ/
Incorrect: ex-press-oh
Correct: ess-press-oh
Film /fɪlm/
Incorrect: fill-um
Correct: fillm
Flour /flaʊə/
Incorrect: fl-ahr
Correct: flou-er (to rhyme with 'flower')
Genre /ʒɑːnrə/
Incorrect: jen-ree
Correct: zhahn-ruh
Hyperbole /haɪˈpɜːbəli/
Incorrect: high-per-bowl
Correct: high-per-buh-lee
Itinerary /aɪˈtɪnərəri/
Incorrect: eye-tin-ary
Correct: eye-tin-uh-rer-ee
Jewellery /dʒuːəlri/
Incorrect: joo-el-er-ee
Correct: joo-el-ree
Library /laɪbrəri/
Incorrect: lie-bree or lie-ber-ee
Correct: lie-brer-ee
Mischievous /mɪstʃɪvəs/
Incorrect: miss-chee-vee-us
Correct: miss-chuh-vuh-s
Niche /nɪtʃ/
Incorrect: nee-shay or nitch
Correct: nee-sh
Often /ɒfn̩/
Incorrect: off-ten
Correct: aw-fuh n or off-en
Probably /prɒbəbli/
Incorrect: prob-lee or prolly
Correct: prob-uh-blee
Pronunciation /prəˌnʌnsɪˈeɪʃn/
Incorrect: pruh-noun-see-ay-shun
Correct: pruh-nun-see-ay-shun
Quinoa /ˈkiːnwɑː/
Incorrect: kee-no-ah
Correct: keen-waa
Quote /kwəʊt/
Incorrect: coat
Correct: kwoht or kwoat
Regime /reɪˈʒiːm/
Incorrect: ruh-geem or ruh-jeem
Correct: ruh-zheem
Rendezvous /rɒndɪvuːz/
Incorrect: ren-dez-vuss or ren-dez-vows
Correct: ron-duh-voo or ron-day-voo
Salmon /sæmən/
Incorrect: sal-mun
Correct: sam-un
Salon /sælɒn/
Incorrect: suh-loon
Correct: suh-lon
Saloon /səˈluːn/
Correct: suh-loon (the incorrect pronunciation of 'salon' above)
Sour /saʊə/
Incorrect: saa-r
Correct: sow-uh ('sow' rhymes with 'how' and 'now'), In the US the 'r' is pronounced as in 'tower' or 'power'.
Wednesday /wenzdeɪ/
Incorrect: wed-nez-day
Correct: wenz-day
Conclusion
In this article, I have presented 30 words in English that are commonly mispronounced.
I've given you the API characters that help with saying the words correctly.
And I've shown both how the words are often mispronounced and how they are said properly, using a simple form of 'sounds'.
I plan another article on more mispronounced words in the future. There are quite a few!
And, if YOU have words that you have problems pronouncing, please let me know.
PS. Use these 30 words to get you started practicing with the free Exercise below.
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A different way to get better pronunciation
Learning to read and write phonetics is another way to get better pronunciation. English words are 'translated' into phonetic sounds - phonemes - to help you pronounce those words correctly.
You can see the phonetic 'scripts' for the pronunciation of the words above.
The free lesson that I offer here will get you started on phonemes.
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© Apex English Tutoring - May 2024 - Updated August 2024
About Me
My name is Michael Finemore, and I am the Owner-Operator of Apex English Tutoring.
As an English Teacher with about 20 years experience, I love doing what I do - helping people get better English with methods to practice that I totally believe work.
They'll work for you too.
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