English Pronunciation Rules

English Pronunciation Rules

Learn English Pronunciation 1
Pronunciation can be a tricky matter when it comes to the English language. Letters in English take
on multiple phonetic forms (think of the a in ‘can’ and the a in ‘war’); thus, the concept of
pronouncing a word the way it is spelled does not apply.
Watching English-language films, TV shows, and news channels is very useful. One must pay close
attention while conversing with someone who is fluent and while watching English-language film or
TV productions, and through practice, make correct-sounding speech a matter of habit.
There are, however, some guidelines of the contours of spoken English:
Regarding Consonants
B
Usually pronounced like the ‘b’ in ‘big’. However, in words ending with ‘-mb’, such as comb, plumb,
numb, bomb, etc, the ‘b’ is silent.
C
Usually pronounced like ‘k’, as in ‘cat’. However, ‘c’ takes on the sound of ‘s’ when it precedes ‘e’, ‘i’
or ‘y’, as in ceiling, cistern, cynic, etc.
-dge
Usually pronounced like ‘j’, as in ‘bridge’.
G
Usually pronounced as in ‘go’. However, before ‘e’, ‘i’ or ‘y’, ‘g’ is often pronounced like ‘j’, as in
germ, ginger, gyrate, etc.
-gh
In some words, ‘-gh’ is pronounced like ‘f’, as in laugh. However, in some words it is silent, as in
high.
H
For example, ‘head’. However, in a few words, the ‘h’ is silent, as in hour, honour, etc.
K
Generally pronounced like the ‘c’ in ‘cat’. However, when followed by ‘n’, it is usually silent, as in
knife, knave, knight, etc.
L
Generally pronounced as in ‘leaf’. However, in a few words, the ‘l’ is silent, especially when followed
by ‘k’ and ‘f’, as in talk, walk, half, calf, etc.
S
Generally pronounced as in ‘sun’. However, in some words ‘s’ is pronounced like ‘z’, as in nose,
president, etc. In a few words, such as television and azure, ‘s’ takes on a sound generally
represented phonetically as ‘zh’.

Th
Generally aspirated, ie, let out with a puff of air, as in think, third, etc. However, in some words,
such as...

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