Home › IELTS Resources › English Learning › English Pronunciation Rules and How to Learn Them
By Matthew Jones on May 18, 2021 in English Learning
Any non-native English speaker can tell you that learning English is not easy. Between complex grammar structures, confusing idioms, and difficult English pronunciation rules, English can be a lot to handle. Thankfully, there is a method to the madness.
Like any language, English relies on a set of rules that dictate the order and sound of words. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to learning all of these rules. It takes years of study and practice; and the earlier you start, the better.
So, to help you improve your English pronunciation, we have provided the following guide on English pronunciation rules and how to learn them. Let’s start with the basics.
Basic English Pronunciation Rules
First, it is important to know the difference between pronouncing vowels and consonants. When you say the name of a consonant, the flow of air is temporarily stopped (which means that your tongue, lips, or vocal cords quickly block the sound). However, when you say the sound of a vowel, your mouth remains open, and the flow of air does not end until you stop speaking.
- Vowels – a, e, i, o, u, *y, *w
- Consonants – b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, *w, x, *y, z
*It is important to note that -w and -y can act as either vowels or consonants, depending on the combination of letters in each word. For example, the word “day” uses the vowel form of -y, while “yell” uses the consonant form. Similarly, “owe” uses the vowel form of -w, while “work” uses the consonant form.
Once you learn the name and basic sounds of each letter, you can start to put them together to form words. For example, the letters p, e, and t come together to form the word “pet.”
Vowel Combinations
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Usually, one vowel is surrounded by consonants in a word (example: pet). However, in many words, two vowels are put together, creating an entirely new sound. When this happens, the first letter of the combination is usually long, while the second letter is silent. Here are a few examples: ai (daily), ea (eat), ie (pie, outside), oa (boat), ay (say), oo (choose, book), and ee (feel).
Consonant Combinations
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Just like vowel combinations, consonant combinations can create entirely new sounds. Sometimes, these sounds are a combination of each individual letter (like -ct in the word “act”), but sometimes they are completely unrelated to the sounds the letters would make individually (like -gh in the word “laugh”). Here are a few more examples: ch (chess), sh (shirt), th (this, bath), gh (ghost, cough), wh (whale, whole), fr (fresh), ck (pick), bl (blue), and sp (spin).
Syllables
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A syllable is basically just one sound in a word. Some words only have one syllable, while others have many syllables. Knowing the number of syllables in a word helps you pronounce it correctly. To use our previous example, the word “day” has three letters, but when you say the word, it only has one unbroken sound.
Every syllable must have at least one vowel, and you can often figure out the number of syllables in a word by looking at the number of vowels. Here are a few examples:
- Fast – 1 syllable, 1 vowel (Fast)
- Order – 2 syllables, 2 vowels (Or-der)
- Tomorrow – 3 syllables, 3 vowels (To-mor-row)
- Alligator – 4 syllables, 4 vowels (All-i-ga-tor)
While the majority of English words have between 1-4 syllables, some words have as many as 19! This means that counting the number of syllables is not always easy. Additionally, the number of syllables is not necessarily equal to the number of vowels. Some vowel sounds are silent, while other sounds are made up of two different vowels. For example, the word “outside” has 4 vowels, but only two syllables, because -ou only counts as one vowel sound, while -i…e combine to form the long “i” sound (like in the word “pie”), even though they are separated by a consonant.
Syllable Stress
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When you say a word that only has one syllable, you only have one syllable to stress. “Syllable stress” refers to the syllable in a word that gets more emphasis than the others. This means that, in words with more than one syllable, one syllable will sound a little longer and louder than the others. Without the right stress on certain syllables, your speech might sound like a robot!
So, how do you determine which syllables to stress? While there are certain exceptions, you can generally use the following English pronunciation rules for shorter words:
- One syllable – Stress the first (and only) syllable.
- Examples: dog, cat, day, rain, etc.
- Two syllables – Stress the first or second syllable. Generally, two-syllable nouns, adjectives, and adverbs stress the first syllable, while two-syllable verbs stress the second syllable.
- First syllable examples: happy (HAP-py), little (LIT-tle), and running (RUN-ning).
- Second syllable examples: record (re-CORD), combine (come-BINE), and insist (in-SIST).
- Three syllables – Stress can be on the first, second, or third syllable, depending on how the word ends.
- Stress the first syllable on words ending with -er (ballplayer), -or (narrator), -ly (frequently), or -y (library)
- Stress the second syllable on words ending with -tion (reception) -sion (expansion) -ic (strategic), or -al (potential)
- Stress the third syllable on words ending with -ee (referee) -eer (pioneer) -ese (legalese), -ette (vinaigrette)
- Four syllables – Stress can be on the second or third syllable, depending on how the word ends.
- Stress the second syllable on words ending with -cy (transparency), -ty (fraternity), -phy (philosophy), -gy (geology), -al (political)
- Stress the third syllable on words ending with -tion (constitution), -sion (apprehension), -ic (supersonic)
Exceptions to English Pronunciation Rules
As with most languages, English doesn’t always follow its own rules. For every English pronunciation rule listed above, there is at least one exception. For example, while many three-syllable words ending in -or stress the first syllable, there are exceptions like behavior (be-HAV-ior) and receptor (re-CEPT-or). Similarly, though most two-syllable nouns stress the first syllable, some don’t, like today (to-DAY) and request (re-QUEST). So, while learning English pronunciation rules is very important, you also need to memorize the exceptions.
Going Beyond English Pronunciation Rules (Video)
You know the correct pronunciation when you hear it, but how do you get your mouth to cooperate and produce that English sound? Learn a quick tip that will get you pronouncing the “r” sound like a native speaker.
If you’re practicing your pronunciation for the IELTS exam, check out our Complete Guide to IELTS Speaking and our podcast episode on Speaking.
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Matthew Jones
Matthew Jones is a freelance writer with a B.A. in Film and Philosophy from the University of Georgia. It was during his time in school that he published his first written work. After serving as a casting director in the Atlanta film industry for two years, Matthew acquired TEFL certification and began teaching English abroad. In 2017, Matthew started writing for dozens of different brands across various industries. During this time, Matthew also built an online following through his film blog. If you’d like to learn more about Matthew, you can connect with him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or his personal website!
(Video) How to Improve Your English Pronunciation (The First Thing You Must Do)
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FAQs
How do I teach basic English pronunciation? ›
Word Stress Patterns - Help students improve their pronunciation by focusing on short sentences using standard word stress patterns. Introduce Stress and Intonation - One of the best ways to help students is to focus their attention on the music of English through the use of stress and intonation.
How can you improve your English pronunciation in 15 steps? ›- Learn to listen.
- Learn with the Best English Pronunciation Dictionaries Online.
- Google Translate. ...
- Notice how your mouth and lips move.
- Pay attention to your tongue.
- Break words down into sounds.
- Add stress to sounds and words.
- Watch movies in English. ...
- Immerse yourself in English language news. ...
- Start a vocabulary book of useful words. ...
- Have conversations in English. ...
- Practice, practice, practice. ...
- Curiosity doesn't always kill the cat. ...
- Don't forget to have fun while you learn.
- use those “magic” words as frequently as possible.
- be sincere when using them (looking in the eye, saying them with intention)
- don't ever think you can't say thank you enough.
- you're always more elegant when saying thank you rather than short form it.
- “it's nothing” should only be used with friends.
English contains 19 vowel sounds—5 short vowels, 6 long vowels, 3 diphthongs, 2 'oo' sounds, and 3 r-controlled vowel sounds—and 25 consonant sounds.
What is the correct way to read English words? ›Break down big words into syllables
Every word in the English language is made up of syllables. A syllable is a pronunciation unit with a vowel that may also have consonants. If you need a refresher, a vowel is A, E, I, O, or U. A consonant is any sound you make that is not a vowel sound.
All these studies show that if you want to be more successful learning English, it is important to learn the sounds and pronunciation first. This means that you not only need to learn how to say new vocabulary, but also how to recognize them when you hear them.
How can I improve my English speaking skill at home fast? ›- Listen. The first step in improving your speaking skills is actually working on your listening. ...
- Imitate. ...
- Read. ...
- Reflect. ...
- Prepare. ...
- Speak. ...
- Practise.
- Build confidence with typed conversations online. ...
- Learn with a language exchange partner. ...
- Start at the end, with real conversation. ...
- Write a script. ...
- Study topics you're interested in. ...
- Use slang dictionaries. ...
- Learn vocabulary based on need. ...
- Learn to fake it.
- Read Books in English. There are countless books that you can read to improve your English skills. ...
- Read an Oxford Dictionary. An Oxford dictionary is another tool for learning new words in English. ...
- Read Articles on English. ...
- Short story. ...
- Blogs. ...
- Diary. ...
- Movies. ...
- News.
How can I speak English fluently naturally? ›
- Start speaking English as much as possible.
- Get a personal tutor.
- Expose yourself to English every single day.
- Make the most of technology.
- Use resources made for your level.
- Work on your pronunciation.
- Learn whole phrases, not words.
- Initially Listen & Repeat. ...
- Isolation Of The Words. ...
- Using Minimal Pairs. ...
- Every Student Must Record The Sound And Replay. ...
- Make Use Of Phonetics. ...
- Application Of Fun Tongue Twisters. ...
- Using Language Specific Sounds. ...
- Always Speak Slow and Try To Exaggerate The Sound.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words— past and present—from across the English-speaking world.
Which is the best free app to improve English speaking? ›- Rosetta Stone – Most versatile app. ...
- FluentU – Best media-based app. ...
- Hello English – Best app for intermediate learners. ...
- Duolingo – Most fun app. ...
- HelloTalk – Best conversational app.
- Preply.
- Rosetta Stone.
- Memrise.
- Babbel.
- Duolingo.
- LingoDeer.
- Mondly.
- Busuu.
- Rural. ...
- Sixth. ...
- Sesquipedalian. ...
- Phenomenon. ...
- Onomatopoeia. ...
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. ...
- Worcestershire.
- 1 Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (forty-five letters): ...
- 2 Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (thirty letters): ...
- 3 Floccinaucinihilipilification (twenty-nine letters): ...
- 4 Antidisestablishmentarianism (twenty-eight letters):
You can optimise your English learning by making sure that you make time to do English-immersion activities, do them with focus, and develop a positive attitude towards your learning. These things will take you much further towards fluency in English than being “smart” will.
How can I speak fluent English without hesitation? ›- Think in English. Sometimes, the difficult thing about English speaking isn't the language itself, but how you think about it. ...
- Learn from English Media on FluentU. ...
- Pay Attention to Stressed Sounds. ...
- Talk to Yourself. ...
- Master English Registers. ...
- Use a Mirror. ...
- Focus on English Fluency, Not Grammar. ...
- Try English Tongue Twisters.
- Here is how you can Learn English Fluently in 10 Days! ...
- #1: Read English Newspapers Loudly. ...
- #2: Think and Express in English as much as you Can. ...
- #3: Listen to English Radio. ...
- #4: Watch English Shows. ...
- #5: Write and Rewrite whatever you Learn. ...
- #6: Learn new words and their synonyms.
How can I be very advanced in English? ›
- Change your usual resources.
- Test yourself on the text.
- Try speed reading. ...
- Get familiar with different accents.
- Try out a podcast on a new topic.
- Transcribe exactly what you hear. ...
- Test your ability to write to different people.
- Learn and sing songs. Using songs to learn languages is an effective way to focus on the pronunciation of words and the rhythm and flow of the language. - Develop mini-speeches. Writing, preparing and learning the words that you're going to say frees you up to focus on the delivery.
What are the 3 types of sound in English? ›Three categories of sounds must be recognised at the outset: phones (human sounds), phonemes (units which distinguish meaning in a language), allophones (non-distinctive units). Sounds can be divided into consonants and vowels.
What are the easiest sounds to learn? ›The easiest phonics to teach children to read are s, a, t, p, i, n, d, e, m, h, and, b. Even though you might not think you know how to teach phonics, I'd like to share with you some fun ways to incorporate phonics into your everyday life so that you can help your child be a super successful reader.
How can I read English without mistakes? ›- Tips to Speak English Fluently Without Grammar Mistakes. ...
- CLEAR THE BASICS = THE STEPPER! ...
- TALK TO YOURSELF = INCREASE YOUR MORALE! ...
- LISTENING = UPLIFTING FROM AN AMATEUR TO A SPEAKER! ...
- USE IT = BEST WAY TO LEARN! ...
- TOO MUCH GRAMMAR = NOT GOOD! ...
- MISTAKES = IT'S ALRIGHT! ...
- LEARN = IT MAKES YOU WINNER!
Option 1: the American accent
The most popular English accent of them all. Spread around the world by American cinema, music, television and more than 350 million North Americans (including Canadians, eh), this is the easiest accent for most people to understand, whether native speakers or non-native speakers.
Learning a new language involves listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In the area of language learning, these four skills are critically important.
What is the first thing to learn in English? ›Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are the main (macro) skills you need to communicate in any language. Being very good at only one of these skills will not help you to communicate. For example you need to be able to read well before you can write well. You also need to be able to listen before you can speak.
Where do I start teaching pronunciation? ›The best place to start is always with the schwa /ə/ sound within words and sentences. These then, are the basics – any English teacher with teaching levels from pre-intermediate upwards can add a bit of pronunciation to spice up their classes and give students something they really want.
How do you teach pronunciation in a lesson plan? ›- Present the text to the students. Whether you're using the course textbook or your own text, ensure that every student has a copy to read. ...
- Read to the students. ...
- Read the text again. ...
- Review difficult words. ...
- Give every student a chance to read. ...
- Correct the reading. ...
- Finish the reading.
How do you teach pronunciation in a fun way? ›
A sing-along is a simple activity for young learners and can be adapted for use with older students as well. By learning a song in English, and practicing it over and over, students become familiar with the sounds of English and imitate the singer, practicing correct pronunciation in a fun and interactive way.
How do you teach practice pronunciation? ›- Find out what your students can't do. ...
- Introduce minimal pairs. ...
- Remember English is a stress-timed language. ...
- Focus on stress patterns in words. ...
- Listen and read. ...
- Listen to repeating speeches. ...
- Use tongue twisters.
A good way to start is to break down words into sounds. Rather than pronounce the whole word at once, often mumbling if it is a long word, break it down into syllables and the syllables into sounds. Practice each syllable and sound one by one and then go over it again and again.
What are the pronunciation skills? ›Pronunciation includes features of language (vocabulary and grammar) and skills (speaking and listening). Like vocabulary and grammar, we pronounce by noticing and understanding rules and patterns which lie beneath the surface of speech.
How can a teacher improve pronunciation? ›- Vowel Length. One of the biggest difficulties in clear pronunciation is vowel length. ...
- Mouth Positions. ...
- Practice Listening. ...
- Write Tongue Twisters. ...
- Feedback. ...
- Put the Stress on Stress. ...
- Practice Word Stress with Vocabulary.