Learn How to Pronounce after

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after

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈɑːftə

Examples:

The development follows after the cadenza.

The next pass after the rebound is the outlet pass.

The music after the stop was spliced in at a later stage.

Learn more about:
after

Related Words:

later

following

How to perfect your pronunciation of: after

Learn Individual Sounds

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Common mistakes of after pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "after" with an incorrect vowel sound, like /æ/ instead of /ɑː/ in UK English or /æ/ in US English. Tip: Focus on the "a" sounding like "ah" in "father."
Ignoring the "t" sound: Many people tend to drop the "t" in "after," making it sound like "af-er." This can confuse listeners. Tip: Practice saying the "t" clearly to maintain the word's integrity, as in /ˈæf.tɚ/ (US) or /ˈɑːf.tə/ (UK).
Stressing the wrong syllable: Some learners mistakenly stress the second syllable, making it sound unnatural. The stress should be on the first syllable: "AF-ter." Tip: Emphasize the "AF" part to ensure correct pronunciation.
Overemphasizing the "r": In some accents, the "r" at the end of "after" may be pronounced too strongly, leading to "af-ter" instead of the correct pronunciation. Tip: Keep the "r" soft and subtle, focusing on the preceding vowel sounds.
Mispronouncing the schwa: Learners may mispronounce the final syllable, thinking it should be pronounced clearly instead of as a schwa /ə/. Tip: Remember that the second syllable in "after" is a quick, unstressed sound, making it sound like "ter" rather than "teh."

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "after" in American English?

In American English, "after" is pronounced as /ˈæf.tɚ/. The first syllable has primary stress, and the "t" is pronounced clearly.

What is the British pronunciation of "after"?

In British English, "after" is pronounced as /ˈɑːf.tə/. The vowel sound in the first syllable is longer, and the "r" at the end is often not pronounced.

Does "after" have a schwa sound?

Yes, the second syllable of "after" contains a schwa sound, represented as /ə/ in IPA. This makes it sound softer and less stressed compared to the first syllable.

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "after"?

Many learners may mistakenly emphasize the second syllable or mispronounce the "t" sound. It's important to keep the stress on the first syllable and pronounce the "t" clearly.