Blog
Articles, guides, and tips to improve your English pronunciation
860 posts
Latest Articles
Country Names Ending in -ia: How to Pronounce Asia, Russia, Australia, Malaysia and Colombia
Why is it AY-zhuh, RUH-shuh and aw-STRAYL-yuh? Learn the stress and ending rules for country names in -ia in American English, with exceptions and practice.
The Prefixes Inter- and Trans-: How to Pronounce International, Internet, Transition and Transport
Why does internet sound like "innernet" and why is transition usually "tranZISHun"? Learn the weak-t, stress and s/z patterns behind the prefixes inter- and trans- in American English.
The -ish Ending: How to Pronounce English, Finish, Publish and Polish
Why is English not 'Eng-leesh', and why is it PUBlish but esTABlish? Learn the simple rule behind the -ish ending in American English, with exceptions and practice.
Mis-, Non-, Anti-, Semi- and Multi-: Why These Prefixes Keep Their Full Vowel
Why is misunderstand pronounced with a clear mis- while mistake is not? Learn the rule for non-, mis-, anti-, semi-, multi-, mid-, mini- and co- in American English.
💡 Enjoying the content?
Get more pronunciation tips delivered to your inbox
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Place Name Endings -ton, -ham, -shire, -mouth and -ford: Why They Reduce (Boston, Birmingham, Yorkshire)
Why is Boston not "bos-TOHN" and Yorkshire not "York-SHY-er"? Learn the stress-and-reduction system behind -ton, -ham, -shire, -mouth, -ford and -land, with US and UK exceptions.
The Prefix Pre-: Why Prepare Is /prɪ/ but Preview Is /pri/ (Prepare, Predict, Preview, Present)
Prepare, predict, preview, present: the prefix pre- is said three different ways. Learn when it is a weak /prɪ/, a full /pri/ or a stressed /prɛ/, plus the s-to-z rule in present and preserve.
The Vowel in Pro-: How to Pronounce Produce, Progress, Protest, Program and Problem
Why do program and problem start with different vowels, and why does protect shrink to a quick pruh? Learn the stress rule behind the vowel of pro- in American English.
The Silent S in Island, Aisle, Debris and Illinois: A Pronunciation Rule
Why is the s silent in island, aisle, debris, corps and Illinois, but not in St. Louis? Learn the two patterns behind the silent S in American English, with exceptions and practice.
Unstressed -on and -son Endings: Why Lesson, Season and Person End in /ən/
Why is lesson not "less-ON"? Learn the rule for unstressed -on and -son endings in American English (/ən/ or /n̩/), plus s/z voicing, exceptions like marathon and crayon, and practice.
Connected Speech Listening: Catch the Small Words
Catch the small English words that change a message. Try eight connected-speech listening exercises, reveal the answers, and practice a focused repair routine.
The dis- Prefix: /s/ or /z/? Disagree vs Disaster vs Disease
Is dis- pronounced with /s/ or /z/? Learn why disagree and dishonest keep a clean /s/, why disease and disaster buzz with /z/, and why the vowel is always a short /ɪ/.
English Vowel Practice for Workplace Instructions
Fill or file? Desk or disk? Practice six English vowel contrasts in workplace instructions, with interactive word cards, a listening check, and clear answers.