You probably use some of these words on a daily basis, but do you know if you are pronouncing them correctly?
From espresso to often: a literacy expert from Awesome Books in the UK has published a list of words that are often mispronounced in English. Some of them may surprise you.
The catalog outlines a series of terms that people often stumble over or mispronounce, says Mubin Ahmed. So how many can you get right?
Literacy expert Mubin said: ‘English pronunciation can be tricky and it’s easy to fall into the trap of common mispronunciations. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you improve your spoken English and communicate more effectively.
‘Whether you speak British or American English, paying attention to these nuances will help you sound more refined and precise.
From espresso to often: A literacy expert from UK-based Awesome Books has revealed a list of commonly mispronounced words in English – and some of them will surprise you
“So the next time you want to say ‘expresso’ or ‘Feb-yoo-air-ee,’ take a moment to memorize the correct pronunciation and speak with confidence.”
Scheme
Wrong pronunciation: SKED-yool
Correct pronunciation: SHED-yool
Mubin said: ‘In British English, ‘schedule’ is traditionally pronounced ‘SHED-yool’. However, the American pronunciation ‘SKED-yool’ is becoming more common due to cultural influences.’
Naughty
Wrong pronunciation: mis-CHEE-vee-us
Correct pronunciation: MIS-chiv-us
“Many people add an extra syllable and pronounce it ‘mis-CHEE-vee-us,’ but the correct pronunciation is ‘MIS-chiv-us,’ with only three syllables,” the literacy expert said.
Pronunciation
Wrong pronunciation: pronounce-ee-A-shun
Correct pronunciation: pro-nun-see-A-shun
“Ironically, the word ‘pronunciation’ is often mispronounced. The correct form is ‘pro-nun-see-A-shun,’ not ‘pronounce-ee-A-shun,'” Mubin insisted.
Espresso
Wrong pronunciation: ex-PRESS-oh
Correct pronunciation: es-PRESS-oh
“There is no ‘x’ in ‘espresso.’ The correct pronunciation is ‘es-PRESS-oh,’” the literacy expert said.
Arctic
Wrong pronunciation: AR-tic
Correct pronunciation: ARK tap
The literacy expert stated, “The word ‘Arctic’ has two ‘c’s’ and both should be pronounced. The correct pronunciation is ‘ARK-tick.’
Nuclear energy
Wrong pronunciation: NOO-kyoo-lar
Correct pronunciation: NOO-clothe-ar
“The word ‘nuclear’ is often mispronounced as ‘NOO-kyoo-lar.’ The correct pronunciation is ‘NOO-klee-ar,’” Mubin said.
February
Wrong pronunciation: FEB-yoo-air-ee
Correct pronunciation: FEB-roo-air-ee
“Many people skip the first ‘r’ in ‘February,’ but the correct pronunciation does include it: ‘FEB-roo-air-ee,’” Mubin explained.
Quinoa
Wrong pronunciation: kee-NO-ah
Correct pronunciation: KEEN-wah
“The name of this superfood is often mispronounced. The correct pronunciation is ‘KEEN-wah,'” the literacy expert insisted.
The catalog outlines a series of terms that people often stumble over or mispronounce, says Mubin Ahmed. So how many can you get right? (stock photo)
Often
Wrong pronunciation: OUT-ten
Correct pronunciation: OUT-nl
“While both ‘OFF-ten’ and ‘OFF-en’ are technically correct, the traditional pronunciation in British English is ‘OFF-en’, with the ‘t’ silent,” the literacy expert explained.
Zebra
Wrong pronunciation: SEA bra
Correct pronunciation: Zebra
“In British English, ‘zebra’ is pronounced ‘ZEB-ra,’ with a short ‘e’ sound, as opposed to the American pronunciation ‘ZEE-bra,'” Mubin said.
Library
Wrong pronunciation: lie-BERRY
Correct pronunciation: LIE-brer-ee
“The word “library” is often mispronounced as “lie-BERRY,” but the correct pronunciation is “LIE-brer-ee,” Mubin explained.
salmon
Wrong pronunciation: salmon
Correct pronunciation: SAM-uhn
“The “l” in “salmon” is silent. The correct pronunciation is “SAM-uhn,” the literacy expert from UK-based Awesome Books revealed.
Almond
Wrong pronunciation: Almond
Correct pronunciation: AH world
“The “l” in “almond” is also silent. The correct pronunciation is “AH-mund,” the expert claimed.
Fragments
Wrong pronunciation: Fragments
Correct pronunciation: the-BREE
“The correct pronunciation of ‘debris’ is ‘de-BREE,’ with the ‘s’ silent,” Mubin insisted.
Controversy
Wrong pronunciation: con-TROV-er-see
Correct pronunciation: CON-tro-ver-see
“In British English, “controversy” is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable: “CON-tro-ver-see,” the literacy expert explains.