| |
Pronunciation |
Example |
sell
sale |
e is /ɛ/ as in get
a is /eɪ/ as in take |
Would you like to sell it?
Sorry, it’s not for sale. |
series
serious |
two syllables
three syllables |
I love that new TV series.
Are you serious? I hate it. |
color
collar |
o is /ɘ/ as in fun
o is /ɑ/ as in father |
Do you like the color of this shirt?
Yes, but I want one with a collar. |
costume
custom |
o is /ɑ/ as in father
u is /ɘ/ as in fun |
Children wear costumes for Halloween.
Is that an American custom? |
been
bean |
ee is /I/ as in sit
ee is /i/ as in meet |
What have you been cooking?
I’ve been cooking beans. |
of
off |
f is a /v/ sound
o is /ɑ/ as in father |
What are you thinking of?
I’m thinking of taking the day off. |
want
won’t |
a is /ɑ/ as in father
o is /ou/ as in boat |
Do you want to go?
No, I won’t go. |
dessert
desert |
second syllable stress
first syllable stress |
I had dessert after dinner.
They drove through the desert. |
where
were |
er is /ɛɘr/ as in care
er is /ɘr/ as in bird |
Where did they go?
They were here a minute ago. |
wonder
wander |
o is /ɘ/ as in fun
a is /ɑ/ as in father |
I wonder where they are.
They’re probably wandering in the forest. |
warm
worm |
or is /ɔr/ as in for
or is /ɚ/ as in bird |
It’s a warm day.
There’s a worm in my apple. |
woman
women |
o is /ʊ/ as in good
o is /I/ as in sit |
She is a nice woman.
All of the women here are nice. |
potty
party |
t is almost /d/ sounds like “pardy” (“fast d” sound) |
The little boy wants to go potty.
He’s at the birthday party. |
