10 English words that are hard to say correctly
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- čas přidán 26. 10. 2017
- Did you know that 'ths' can sound like a 'z'? Or that 'tt' can sound like 'd'? In this lesson, we look at ways to pronounce some common vocabulary that English learners often find difficult or confusing. Beyond the ten words we cover in the video, I'll share my pronunciation methods, so you can apply the techniques seen here to learn other difficult words.
TAKE THE QUIZ: www.engvid.com/10-english-wor...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi. Welcome to engVid. I'm Adam. Today's lesson is a pronunciation lesson. I'm going to talk to you about 10 words that many people find very difficult to pronounce, especially non-native English speakers, but even sometimes native speakers have some trouble with some of these. We're going to look at the first five and I'm going to show you two things, two ways to look at this word. One... Or these words. One is the phonetic, basically just: How does it sound? And two is looking at the actual phonetic alphabet to see how it's spelled according to the phonetic alphabet, and I'll talk to you about that as well. So we're going to look at: "months", "clothes", "little", "queue", "chaos". So you already heard me saying them, but I'll go through each one carefully.
A lot of people try to pronounce the "th" in this word: "months", "months", you're just confusing your tongue, you're confusing your listener. Don't try to always put "ths", they don't always work. Even native speakers don't bother trying to separate the sounds. What... The way it sounds like to us, like the way I say it is: "muntz". The "ths" I just switch to a "tz". So if you think about the word "plants", you know... Everybody knows how to say "plant", one plant, many plants, this is the same sound as here: "tz". So this is the same sound here: "mun", like "sun", "run", "munt", "muntz". Okay? Again, don't try to separate them. This is what it looks like in the phonetic.
Now, if you want to really improve your pronunciation and sound like a native speaker, you must learn the International Phonetic Alphabet. I took this phonetic spelling from the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, that's the American dictionary if you want to get the North American accent. Look at the Oxford Dictionary, for example, if you want to get the British phonetic spelling of things, if you want to get the different accents, etc. Get to know these symbols. This is like an "ah" or sometimes even an "uh", as we're going to see in other words. Make sure you understand the different symbols and what sounds they represent, that way any word that you want to pronounce correctly, you can do according to this. Now, you can also go online: m-w . com or just www . Merriam-Webster . com, you can hear all of these words and you can practice saying them and saying them correctly.
Now, this word, and it's the same idea. You still have your "t", "h", and "s", but you have the "e", the extra vowel in the middle. A lot of people try to say: "clothes", but if you say "clothes" to a native speaker... Okay, usually the context will help them understand what you're saying, but if you say the word out of context they actually won't know what you're saying because we don't have a word "clothes". Okay? It sounds like "cloze". Close the door, wear clothes, sounds exactly the same. And again, the phonetic with be "o" there, "k", and the "z". We don't have the "th" because we don't pronounce it. So most words that have a "th" and an "s" very close together, we generally just basically squeeze them in into a "ts" sound or a "z" sound. Okay? "Clothes". So when... After you take the clothes out of the closet, close the door. Okay? Clothes.
"Little". Now, some people try to say "little", which is okay. Everybody will understand you if you say "little", but most people in, again, native... Native speakers in everyday sound, everyday speech, everyday pace will say: "lidol". I have a little bit. Little bit. So it sounds like a "d", the "tt" sounds like a "d". This "i" is almost not pronounced. It's more like the "d" drops into the "l". This is what it looks like here, that's where the "t" drops. They put it as a "t", but when you have two t's together and in normal speed, it sounds like a "d", so: "lidle". Some people say: "I have a little bit", some people will say: "I have a lidle bit." Little. Okay?
Now, this word, this word is very frightening because everybody who doesn't actually know this word will actually try to pronounce it. But you have to remember English is a crazy language. We have many words that don't sound anything like they look. Okay? So this is not "queue", nobody says "queue", because nobody will understand what you're saying. This word basically means "q" or is pronounced-sorry-"q". It means a line up. When you go to the bank and you go to the teller, but there's a lot of people, get in queue and wait until your turn.
I really enjoy your lessons! You simplify things by tackling difficult topics and breaking them down so that they're easy to understand.
I've been studying for 10 months alone and your tips help me a lot, I understand almost everything you say. Thank you for help me
Cláudia Carvalho hi
helping
Cláudia Carvalho you’ve been learning on your own (not alone) 👍 good job
it helps
Thank you ❤️
I like your calm way in learning.
Not to sound like an asshole but its
"i like your calm way of learning"
Calm way of teaching
I really enjoy and learn too much from your videos Adam, you are one of the best teachers from EngVid! Cheers from Mexico!
Your brief lesson are always very sharp even for the high level learners like me. I get started watching them since 2-3 weeks, and getting more and more pleased every time.
Many thanks Mr Adam it is so complicated, but you made it easier as usual.
Thank you teacher
Very helpful
Thanks Adam, you're by far the best teacher I've ever had.
I'd like to send my gratitude to you from Iran. you've helped me a lot.
I remember last year when I was about to seat the ielts exam I was so nervous and had a mixed feeling of fear and being upset, but interestingly enough you answered one of previous questions exactly the day before my exam here in CZcams below one of your videos plus a warm encouraging message to me. that made my day! and I could get a high score next day.
sometimes I say that was a sign from God for me through you sweet teacher!
I wish I had you again for my next big exam on September which unfortunately didn't go well... I was so alone in a different country and I desperately need an encouraging person like you beside me...,
wish you all the best
thank you very much Adam ,when I'm watching your video always I think that english is simple, cause your explanations are simply to understand . thank you Massimo from Italy
I was born in the United States. But unfortunately I was raised in Mexico for 10 years. I was taken to Mexico as a baby and made my return to the United States when I was 10. Because of that Reason I developed my Mexican accent. I speak English really good, but I struggle with some words like (thought) (toungue) (trough) and mostly words with TH. Recently I was working at Disneyland as a host at the blue bayou and there I was constantly enteracting with guest but Because of my accent I felt uncomfartbale using vocabulary that I was instructed to use in order to help and solve problems for our guests. I was constantly pronuncing unfamiliar words to my toungue which made me sound a bit nervous LOL so after the final day of training Disneyland cut me. I really loved the job and I did pretty damn good, but I just didn't sound as confident as others around me because of the unfamiliar words I don't use on my daily life cause of my accent and it's because of this experience that I am now interested in getting rid of my accent or reducing it :)
“Speak English really good”
Hmmmm
Don’t worry it’s an easy mistake to make, lots of people where I like (UK) make that mistake even though they’re native
To me you keep your Mexican accent because you want to. Ten years in a Spanish country couldn't bring you the harm you affirm... (gilberto lehrer from brazil)
U should be proud of your accent , thats what makes u unique :D
@@esztermuller3975 oh youre such a poet, Ive never heard something such a beautiful thing
Awesome!
Thank you Adam, trying to learn and improve my language. You're helps a lot!
I love the way you explain. I would really appreciate if you could make a video on how to write a complex long sentence. Thank you and I really appreciate your work!
Your guides have always been simple but very easy to understand. Thanks for your videos
Very good lesson!!!
Ezequiel leite de paula u are right
I really appreciate your hard working, dear teacher. I really like your pronunciation. you are the best Tr Adam. Never Look Back!
I agree
Thank you so much for your lessons, it is helping me every day. You are great teacher!
interesting lecture as always! Enjoyed a lot..😊
Your way to explain lessons is awesome and helpful . In addition , I think the best thing is the exam after the lesson , it is a great way to help us memorize what have been said , thanks.
Please make a video about how to deal with processes and cycles in the ILETS writing task 1 . I watched Emma's one regard this topic but it was not enough and I still feel not holding all the cards .
IQ mysterious yes i really need too
Love your videos, I have a tiny accent so I know how to say most of these correctly but it’s great learning why it’s said this way and how to apply it to other words.
Gracias por la explicación. Excelente video, saludos desde Argentina.
Thank you for the explanation. Excellent video, greetings from Argentine.
Very useful lesson Adam, as always! Could you do a lesson about how to recognize schwa vowels within words?
Thanks adam.one of the best teacher. Your explanations always easy to understand. Thanks a million to you sir and whole engvid.
Thats helpful to improve my pronunciation. Thank you :)
Sir you have a great way of explaining everything ... thank you
I want to be the first to congratulate you on one million subscribers worth more success
I love your lesson, thank you! I'll practice.
I'm Mexican.
i love your attitude when you are learning and your calmness :D
Thank you Mr. Adam. Its very easy to understand by the way you says it
Hi mythical Adam you reached the goal of 1.000.000! You should organize a special video and a party too! You all guys are sensational! A huge hug 💫from Trentino. 😊Congratulations! Alfonso
Adam, your lectures are really awesome, matchless!!
Thank you so much 👏👍❗❗❗ this is so useful
you're a good teacher and your tips are really useful so thanks a lot for these videos and i wish of course if you can to do a video about some shows that could help us progressing in this language learning and thanks in advance
Thanks so much
Good tips on pronunciation! Thanks for sharing Adam.
Thanks for the video. A good way to keep learning English. Greetings from Costa Rica. Pura Vida!
Thank you man, this is really helpful to me.
Here are some of the words I struggle with:
- something (Stupidly simple and easy word and yet I have a hard time pronouncing it)
- literature
- deliberately
- desperately
- comfortable (Now I can pronounce this one)
I'm making my own list of words to practice pronunciation.
I love you Adam..
You have helped me a lot..
Greetings from Punta Mita Mexico!!
Yeah, I'm realy like, how you teach everything you explain very well...
So glad that I ( german ) dont have problems with these words.
Nice chanel 👍
Very useful! Thanks!
I'm from Iraq
I understand every word you say without any translation apps !
I sure am appreciate all of your lessons , and also am very happy to understand your language
Thank you, I have learned a lot through your explanations.
Hey, Adam. Thanks for your lessons.
I have been studying English for 30 years, but just now I found out, how to pronouse plural form
"month" :) Thanks a lot, Adam!
Very nice
Things i learned today. English is a crazy language. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Adam. Your videos are so helpful
You sir did magic with the word 'squirrel'. I'm subscribing!
thank Adam, really clear with some confirmations for me European in Canada, this is my first comment but when possible I follow your videos from 2017 with interest also about quiz
Simple and very understandable. Thanks for what you do.
Thank you , it is a real challenge for most of the students!
It s very interestingly I appreciated the professional manier to teacher thanks, very explicit. Thank you for help my English.
Thank you for this video ! Could you propose us your reading text like that, we'll repeat gradually after you ?
Adam your lessons are cool and so useful so thanks a lot 👍
Eres realmente divertido con éste inglés tan loco de ustedes. Muy bueno.
We have a great teacher here ! Tnx a lot
Thank you, Adam! I've always had trouble with the word "months". But not anymore, for sure... :)
Your pronunciation makes your lessons more useful. I think it is the secret for your success. I hope more suscribers for your Chanel.
Love your channel so far! 😃 I'm new here. Thanks for your dedication.
thank you for your lessons! I have some trouble with phrases "so we're going to...", ''they're", "They'll" and other, I can't understand how to say it quiсkly
Such a helpful video. Thanks for sharing us this valuable content.- from CAIRO- EGYPT
The bit about "infamous" was almost a revelation to me :D
You are a great teacher.
Thaks from Portugal
Thanks Adam for your explanation
Thank you! It's wery helpfully for me.
الدرس مفيد كثيرا...شكرا لك استاذ ادم.....thanks
Useful advice
I am an old fan from Saudi Arabia and always benefit from you 💙😻
لا اله الا الله
ايش معنى كلمة niche ?
شكرا مقدما
لا اله الا الله
could you chat me ...hopefully .... To practice english ? .. I am arabic . from. Egypt.. I was living in Saudia Arabia for 7 years
thank you for the great videos. Could you please teach how to pronounce "QUILT"? I've got hard time to pronounce it.
quilt -> kwilt
Rhymes with: built, hilt, gilt, guilt, jilt, kilt, lilt, silt, stilt, tilt, wilt... it just starts with the "kw" sound.
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quilt
Kuw-ilt
an amazing lesson,thanks sir
Very helpful, thank you very much Adam
Thank you Adam 🖒💗
We'll be waiting for your next video ⛤
Great thanks. Very helpful
Thanks Adam, you are a great teacher, and I love word (any oney) It was a simple mistake, spontaneously, but I laughed at it a lot.
Love vocabs videos ..hope u do some of them
You're a good teacher ❤
Hi Adam, I really enjoy your lessons. Do you have any video about How to pronounce the IPA? I have found a few websites with some hints about the position of the tongue and else but not a video.
Great lesson! Thanks! I have a question - and how do you pronounce the word "myths"? The same way like "months"?
thank you for the lesson Adam
Fluent English speaker here. I could watch these all day
I LOVE you and your videos! Thank you so much!😍
i learnt a lot with you!! Thank you!
Good choice with *months* - I see this challenge a lot of people 😅 My advice *break it into 3 syllables as you practice* -> mun + th (unvoiced) + s. Start slow, and then speed up! *Keep studying, guys!*
Hi, I have a group on WHATSAPP to practice English.
If you want to join it, just send me a picture of this comment ok.
( YOU MUST SEND THE PICTURE OK, OR NO ADDING )
My Number: +556796791200
NOTE: In my group there are people from over 30 different countries,
we help each other, we talk, have fun, exchange experience and
if anyone in the group has any doubts you can just ask it and they will help you.
For Your English My advice with regard to 'months' is to make the 'th' with your mouth/tongue but to NOT push air through, almost like pronouncing a 'd' instead but with your tongue further forwards into the 'th'. 'Munts' makes you sound like a foreigner mispronouncing the word.
why the picture, that is not relevant if you wanna create a group you should not pay that, over this way anyone is gonna join into that group.
very essential ways of pronunciation, thanks a lot
Thank u sir, you made me happy...!
Love your Channel, thanks very much for hard working.
Very informative! Thank you!
Great Class! Thanks!!
thank you !your videos are very useful and help me a lot
Thanks Adam for your efforts. Can you please make a sequence of video about same subjects we have a lot of confusing words like maths
thanks Mr.adam...greeting from indonesia
Love when she mentions Brazil, my country! 🇧🇷😭🤍🤍🤍
The only professor i understand what he say so thank u so much
ALL TIPS ARE AMAZING
Great Adam!
How about words with THR in the biginning?
ex. Threaten, throw, ...
Great vídeo Adam
Helpful. Thank you very much