Learn How to Pronounce able

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able

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈeɪbəl

Examples:

It is able to unleash the dormant fighting potential of the wearer.

Being able to choose is to be constantly in touch with one's potentiality.

The hand likes the knife to be able to cut the heavy.

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able

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: able

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Common mistakes of able pronunciation

  1. Misplacing the stress: Some learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "a-ble" as /ˈeɪ.bəl/. The correct stress is on the first syllable: /ˈeɪ.bəl/. Tip: Always emphasize the first syllable when saying "able".
  2. Pronouncing the vowel sound incorrectly: A common mistake is pronouncing the "a" as in "cat", leading to /ˈæ.bəl/. The correct pronunciation has a long "a" sound, as in "day": /ˈeɪ.bəl/. Tip: Practice saying "day" to get the right vowel sound for "able".
  3. Overemphasizing the "b": Some speakers may overly stress the "b" sound, making it sound harsh, like /ˈeɪ.bəl/. The "b" should be soft and quick. Tip: Keep the "b" subtle and focus on the vowel sounds.
  4. Ignoring the schwa sound: Learners might pronounce the second syllable as /bəl/ with a clear "l" sound instead of the schwa /ə/. The correct pronunciation is /ˈeɪ.bəl/, where the second syllable is softer. Tip: Use a relaxed "uh" sound for the second syllable.
  5. Mixing up the american and british pronunciations: Some may confuse the US /ˈeɪ.bəl/ with the UK pronunciation /ˈeɪ.bəl/ which is similar but may have slight variations in intonation. Tip: Listen to both accents to distinguish any subtle differences in pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "able" in American English?

In American English, "able" is pronounced as /ˈeɪ.bəl/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "a" sounds like the long vowel "ay" as in "day," and the second syllable has a schwa sound, pronounced like "bəl."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "able" between British and American English?

Yes, in British English, "able" is pronounced /ˈeɪ.bəl/ as well, so there is no difference in the pronunciation of the word between the two dialects. Both versions emphasize the first syllable with the same vowel sounds.

What is the syllable structure of the word "able"?

The word "able" consists of two syllables: "a" and "ble." The first syllable is stressed, making it pronounced clearly, while the second syllable is less emphasized and uses a schwa sound.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "able"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "a-ble" instead of "able." Remember to keep the stress on the first syllable to say it correctly.
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