How to Pronounce 50 Mispronounced English Words
Pronunciation Guide • QuickPronounce Team • 8 min read • April 25, 2025
50 Commonly Mispronounced Words
These words are among the most frequently mispronounced by English learners worldwide. Each entry shows the correct IPA, the common mistake, and an explanation.
- espresso /eˈspresoʊ/ — not “expresso” (no X sound)
- February /ˈfebruːeri/ — pronounce the first R
- nuclear /ˈnjuːkliər/ — not “nuke-u-lar”
- supposedly /səˈpoʊzɪdli/ — keep the D
- clothes /kloʊðz/ — pronounce the /ð/
- library /ˈlaɪbreri/ — first R after B
- probably /ˈprɒbəbli/ — three syllables, not two
- especially /ɪˈspeʃəli/ — starts with /ɪ/, no /k/
- government /ˈgʌvənmənt/ — keep the V and N
- vehicle /ˈviːɪkl/ — H is silent
- jewelry /ˈdʒuːəlri/ — three syllables
- candidate /ˈkændɪdeɪt/ — pronounce the first D
- arctic /ˈɑːrktɪk/ — pronounce the first C
- athlete /ˈæθliːt/ — two syllables, not three
- mischievous /ˈmɪstʃɪvəs/ — stress on first syllable
- prestigious /preˈstɪdʒəs/ — short /ɪ/ not /iː/
- specific /spəˈsɪfɪk/ — first syllable is /spə/
- subtle /ˈsʌt̬l/ — B is silent
- receipt /rɪˈsiːt/ — P is silent
- salmon /ˈsæmən/ — L is silent
- almond /ˈɑːmənd/ — L can be silent
- often /ˈɒfən/ — T can be silent
- soften /ˈsɒfən/ — T is silent
- listen /ˈlɪsn/ — T is silent
- castle /ˈkæsl/ — T is silent
- Wednesday /ˈwenzdeɪ/ — D is silent
- handkerchief /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/ — D is silent
- sandwich /ˈsænwɪtʃ/ — D is often silent
- comfortable /ˈkʌmftəbl/ — three syllables
- vegetable /ˈvedʒtəbl/ — three syllables
- deteriorate /dɪˈtɪriəreɪt/ — five syllables
- pronunciation /prəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/ — “nun” not “noun”
- photography /fəˈtɒgrəfi/ — stress on second syllable
- determine /dɪˈtɜːrmɪn/ — stress on second syllable
- etcetera /ɪtˈsetərə/ — starts with /ɪt-/
- etcetera /ɪtˈsetərə/ — starts with /ɪt-/ not /ɛk-/
- incorrect /ɪnkəˈrekt/ — final vowel is /e/ not /ʌ/
- rural /ˈrʊrəl/ — short /ʊ/ then schwa
- squirrel /ˈskwɪrəl/ — short /ɪ/
- women /ˈwɪmɪn/ — first vowel is /ɪ/
- business /ˈbɪznɪs/ — final vowel is /ɪ/
- dessert /dɪˈzɜːrt/ — stress on second syllable
- desert (n.) /ˈdezərt/ — stress on first syllable
- suite /swiːt/ — like “sweet”
- chaos /ˈkeɪɒs/ — CH is /k/
- choir /kwaɪər/ — CH is /k/
- measles /ˈmiːzlz/ — has /z/ sound
- draught /dræft/ — “draft” in US
- recipe /ˈresɪpi/ — three syllables
How to Fix These Mistakes
- Pick 5 words from this list each week.
- Look up each word on QuickPronounce and listen to the audio.
- Say the word slowly, focusing on the correct sounds.
- Use the word in a sentence 3 times.
- Record yourself and compare to the native audio.
Final Takeaway
These 50 words represent the most common pronunciation errors in English. By mastering them, you eliminate frequent mistakes that listeners notice immediately. Work through the list methodically: 5 words per week means you can complete the entire list in 10 weeks.
Related pronunciation guides
- IPA Guide: Master Pronunciation Symbols
- Connected Speech Guide for Natural Rhythm
- Word Stress Rules Guide
About the author
Krishna Golwala — Founder, QuickPronounce