Are You Saying These Words Wrong?
English pronunciation can be tricky—even for advanced learners. Some words sound nothing like how they are spelled, and mispronouncing them can lead to awkward misunderstandings. In this guide, we’ll uncover a list of commonly mispronounced English words and teach you how to say them right!
1. Colonel → /ˈkɝː.nəl/
Spelled like “colonel,” but pronounced like “kernel.” This one surprises almost everyone!
2. Queue → /kjuː/
A long word for a short sound! It’s pronounced just like the letter “Q.”
3. Subtle → /ˈsʌt̬.əl/
The “b” is completely silent. It rhymes with “cuddle.”
4. Salmon → /ˈsæm.ən/
No “L” sound here. Just “SAM-un.”
5. Wednesday → /ˈwɛnz.deɪ/
Sounds like “Wensday.” The first “d” is silent.
6. Mischievous → /ˈmɪs.tʃə.vəs/
Many say it as “miss-CHEE-vee-us,” but that’s incorrect. It only has three syllables!
7. February → /ˈfeb.ruː.er.i/
Don't drop the first “r”! It's not “Feb-yoo-airy.” Practice the correct syllables.
More Common Mistakes?
Check out our post on English words that don’t sound like they look and explore the power of the phonetic alphabet to pronounce anything correctly.
Tips for Better Pronunciation
- Listen to native speakers via YouTube or podcasts
- Use a dictionary with audio, like Cambridge Dictionary
- Repeat words aloud multiple times
- Record yourself and compare
Final Thoughts
Don't worry if you've been saying these words wrong—we all do at some point! The key is awareness and practice. Add a few of these to your daily vocabulary exercises and notice how much more natural your English sounds!
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