Pronouncing common everyday words correctly

Good pronunciation is important for clear communication. Many English learners struggle with pronouncing common words correctly. This guide will help you learn the correct pronunciation of everyday words and provide practical examples to practice.

1. Common words with tricky pronunciation

Some words seem easy but are often mispronounced. Here are a few examples:

  • Vegetable (VEJ-tuh-buhl) – Not "veg-eh-ta-ble"

  • Comfortable (KUMF-tuh-buhl) – Not "com-for-ta-ble"

  • Chocolate (CHAWK-lit) – Not "cho-co-late"

  • Wednesday (WENZ-day) – Not "wed-nes-day"

  • Clothes (KLOHZ) – Not "cloth-es"

  • Library (LIE-brer-ee) – Not "lie-ber-ree"

  • February (FEB-roo-air-ee) – Not "Feb-u-ary"

  • Answer (AN-ser) – The "w" is silent

  • Cupboard (KUB-erd) – The "p" is silent

  • Sword (SORD) – The "w" is silent

2. How to improve pronunciation

a) Listen and repeat

Find audio recordings of native speakers saying these words and repeat after them. Use online dictionaries that have pronunciation audio.

b) Break words into syllables

Divide longer words into parts to make pronunciation easier. For example:

  • Comfortable → "KUMF" + "tuh" + "buhl"

  • Vegetable → "VEJ" + "tuh" + "buhl"

c) Watch mouth movements

Observe how native speakers move their mouths when pronouncing words. You can use videos or a mirror to check your own pronunciation.

d) Practice with tongue twisters

Tongue twisters help with pronunciation and fluency. Try:

  • "She sells seashells by the seashore."

  • "Red lorry, yellow lorry."

3. Practical exercises

Exercise 1: Listen and repeat

  1. Play an audio recording of the words.

  2. Repeat each word slowly.

  3. Speed up gradually while keeping correct pronunciation.

Exercise 2: Record yourself

  1. Record yourself pronouncing the words.

  2. Compare your pronunciation with a native speaker’s.

  3. Adjust and practice again.

Exercise 3: Use in sentences

Practice saying these words in full sentences:

  • "I bought some vegetables at the market."

  • "This chair is very comfortable."

  • "I love dark chocolate."

  • "We have a meeting on Wednesday."

By practicing regularly, you will improve your pronunciation and speak English more clearly. Keep listening, repeating, and using the words in daily conversations!

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