Common Words Pronunciation Guide

Introduction

English is known for its irregular pronunciation rules, especially when it comes to common words that we use every day. Because of this, it can be difficult for non-native speakers to pronounce these words correctly. In this article, we will provide a pronunciation guide for some of the most common words in the English language.

Short Vowels

Short vowels are those that are pronounced quickly and briefly. They can be tricky for non-native speakers because they are often different from the way they are pronounced in other languages.

a

The short “a” is pronounced like the “a” in “cat.” Examples include: “bag,” “hat,” and “sad.”

e

The short “e” is pronounced like the “e” in “pet.” Examples include: “bed,” “let,” and “pen.”

i

The short “i” is pronounced like the “i” in “sit.” Examples include: “big,” “hit,” and “pin.”

o

The short “o” is pronounced like the “o” in “hot.” Examples include: “box,” “fox,” and “stop.”

u

The short “u” is pronounced like the “u” in “bus.” Examples include: “cup,” “hut,” and “bus.”

Long Vowels

Long vowels are those that are pronounced for a longer duration. They can be difficult for non-native speakers because they are often similar to the way they are pronounced in other languages.

a

The long “a” is pronounced like the “a” in “made.” Examples include: “name,” “game,” and “lake.”

e

The long “e” is pronounced like the “ee” in “bee.” Examples include: “meat,” “beet,” and “see.”

i

The long “i” is pronounced like the “i” in “sight.” Examples include: “time,” “flight,” and “pie.”

o

The long “o” is pronounced like the “o” in “go.” Examples include: “boat,” “coat,” and “go.”

u

The long “u” is pronounced like the “u” in “mule.” Examples include: “tune,” “blue,” and “cute.”

Conclusion

Pronunciation can be a challenging aspect of learning a new language, but with practice and guidance, it is possible to master it. By using this guide to common word pronunciation, non-native English speakers can improve their pronunciation and communicate more effectively in English.