English pronunciation is relatively straightforward to learn, but the process can prove challenging for non-native speakers. As you learn to write, it's best to focus on pronunciation exercises that pertain to your level of practice. There are various grammar exceptions with words that spell differently but sound the same and vice versa. Grasping such unique concepts may require some external assistance. Some people might even need a few lessons in English speaking and listening knowledge.
Throughout this guide, you'll explore the pronunciation rules for the English language and how you can understand them using methods that experts recommend. It will also detail the reliable platforms you can trust to speed up the learning process.
Perfecting English Pronunciation Rules
Several grammar rules apply to the pronunciation of English words and clauses. Even if you know how to write sentences, each page has specific grammar parts that relate to specific rules for a given tense and article. Learning all of them by heart can prove a challenge, yet there are a few critical ones that you can find in any competitive English speaking test. Those are described below, alongside their exceptions.
Short words use short vowels
Vowels have different tones depending upon the length of the words that contain them. Often, single-syllable words have short vowels with a soft sound during pronunciation. So, words like 'tin', 'bend' and 'cat' have short vowel sounds that merge both the preceding and successive consonants within the same syllable.
Vowels before double consonants are short
Several words in the English language have double consonants. There are grammar rules not only on how you pronounce them but also on how people speak the vowel that comes before them. For the same consonant appearing twice, the vowel before them is always short. For example, the word 'diner' has an 'i' pronunciation, whereas the second syllable in the word 'dinner' is pronounced as 'inn.'
Moreover, keep in mind that double consonants are pronounced as single letters. Words with repeated consonants like 'll', 'ss' and 'zz' alongside numerous others are pronounced just as if they were a single consonant. A few examples include words like 'dimmer' and 'silly.'
Two vowels, when placed side-by-side, make a long vowel
Despite the writing, double vowels have a more extended pronunciation that drags out the sound a bit. So, if you're speaking words like 'doom' and 'meat,' it helps to drag out the vowels for about half a second. Both vowels form the syllable of the one that appears first.
'E' at the end of most words is silent
Usually, you don't need to pronounce 'e' when it comes to the end of most words or phrases. Its primary function is to separate the meaning of a noun, such as 'rat' from 'rate.' Of course, there are exceptions to this grammar. Words like 'psyche' and 'sesame' have the letter' e' at the end of them, but it still has a sound.
Words ending with 'tion' have a 'sh' sound
Whenever you read 'tion' at the end of a word, you must pronounce it as 'shun.' The 'ion' modifies the syllable to a schwa-sounding vowel. E.g. 'Dictation', 'solution', 'fluctuation', etc.
'G' and 'K' are always silent when the proceeding letter is 'N'
It's a derivative of European languages. Whenever a 'g' or 'k' falls before a consonant like 'n,' the latter automatically gains precedence in pronunciation. That's why you pronounce 'know' as 'no' and 'gnarl' as 'naarl.'
Before a stressed syllable, 'X' is pronounced as 'gz'
The consonant' x' is least used at the start of a stressed consonant. Still, whenever it remains present, you must pronounce it as 'gz,' such as in words 'xenophobic' and 'exist.' However, in other cases, you pronounce it as an 'ex,' like in the words' taxi' and 'X-ray.'
'Y' is both a vowel and a consonant
The appropriate pronunciation depends upon the location of the letter' y.' If it's present at the beginning, you pronounce it as a consonant, as you can find in words like 'you' and 'yonder.' In case it remains in the middle or end of the word, it becomes a vowel. E.g. 'cyst', 'fly', 'quickly', etc.
Pay attention to when 'H' is silent
Most novice speakers often make the mistake of pronouncing the letter' h' wherever it's present. They fail to realise that they're not studying Russian, where you have to twist your tongue to speak every letter in the text. The 'h' is silent in a few words, such as 'honour' and 'hour.'
Stressing the first syllable makes the word a noun
Occasionally, you can come across words that function both as nouns and verbs. But how do you inform your audience orally which one you're talking about? Simple: you have to stress the first syllable to denote the word as a noun. For example, if you want to speak the word 'increase' as a noun, you must stress the 'in.' In the case of a verb, put the stress on 'crease.'
Is English Accent important For Better Pronunciation?
The short answer is: no.
Developing an accent makes it look like you're not genuinely interested in enhancing your English communication skills. People from specific regions have accents as they converse with a specific social circle that develops their vocabulary in a similar environment. An accent just to fit in with specific individuals lets you come off as pretentious.
In addition, developing an accent doesn't necessarily mean that you've grasped the technicalities of speaking grammar. Several versions don't have accurate pronunciations, particularly in regions based outside majority English speaking countries. For instance, Germans tend to stress the syllables for both nouns and verbs.
4 Methods That Assist With English Speaking
If you desire to perfect your English speaking skills, there are several practical methods that you can adopt in your daily schedule.
Keep a dictionary handy
An updated dictionary can introduce you to all the words you need to articulate your speech. You can commit to learning a new word every day (or every week if your schedule is too packed). You'll soon realise that you have upgraded your reading and writing skills to appreciable standards. This step has helped even novice English language speakers step up their speech level and find the perfect way to articles/verb use.
Read as much as you can
You perfect one spoken sentence for every 100 you learn. Thus, it's imperative to read as much English media as you can avail yourself of. Those dedicated to learning comprehension can obtain newspapers, online articles, novels, and research papers, all in English. Those can also help you learn the correct form of past and present tense by offering free practice at your leisure.
Urge your friends and colleagues to speak English
Frequency is a critical factor in determining how well your learned knowledge goes into practical use. An effective method is to urge your friends, family, and colleagues to speak English as well. That way, you can spread and correct your learnings from those who won't judge you and remain comfortable on how to pass a job interview. That helps you substantially better than every time you turn a page on a basic exercises book.
Augment your vocabulary with movies and shows
You can search for relevant movies and TV shows in English for relatively low costs, thanks to the abundant access to the internet and various streaming services. You can take the step to learn practical grammar information by studying their sentences. Stunning performances by actors can teach you the basic knowledge on forming sentences and information on tense parts.
In addition, you can learn about time-specific vocabulary from masterpieces like 'The Lighthouse' and '1917.' Those focus on how their contemporary socio-political situation influenced people's speech.
5 Exercises to Effectively Improve Pronunciation
- Tongue twisters: Practice saying tongue twisters, which are phrases that are difficult to say quickly and correctly. This will help you develop control over your tongue and mouth muscles.
- Listen & Repeat after a native speaker: Find videos or recordings of native English speakers and practice repeating what they say. Pay attention to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of their speech.
- Record yourself: Record yourself speaking English and listen to the playback. Pay attention to your pronunciation, stress, and intonation and work on improving any areas where you need improvement.
- Practice sounds and words: Practice pronouncing individual sounds and words. Pay attention to the position of your tongue, lips, and mouth when making each sound.
- Use pronunciation apps or software: There are many pronunciation apps and software programs available that can help you improve your pronunciation. These tools typically provide feedback on your pronunciation and help you work on specific sounds or words that you need to improve.
How Superprof can help you with English pronunciation
Sometimes, you might require specific lessons to help you understand the finer details of English speaking skills. That's when you might need a skilled tutor to assist with improving your writing, reading, and listening skills. Superprof allows you to do that with a schedule and budget that best suit your needs. You can also connect with them online if you need free exercises or clear your doubts on subjects, nouns, verbs, or articles.
Superprof is a platform with several experts ready to provide lessons in English communication and grammar. You can avail of a tutor who fits your practice schedule and progresses at your pace. Parents can receive reports of how well their ward is doing and can take up trial classes before choosing an adequate match. Whether you want to prepare for a job interview or wish to practice for a challenging English test, Superprof has you covered.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a free account on Superprof and achieve the correct form for your English pronunciation today.
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