Learn How to Pronounce ago

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ago

Phonetic Transcription:

əˈɡəʊ

Examples:

The plane departed an hour ago.

He moved to purlieu a week ago.

He sold a pied cow few weeks ago.

Learn more about:
ago

Related Words:

week

hour

period

How to perfect your pronunciation of: ago

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Common mistakes of ago pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Some learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "a-GO". The correct pronunciation is "ə-ˈɡoʊ" (US) and "ə-ˈɡəʊ" (UK), with the stress on the second syllable. Tip: Remember that the stress is on "go".
Pronouncing the "a" incorrectly: Many say "a" as in "cat", resulting in "a-go". The correct sound is "ə" as in "sofa". Tip: Practice saying "uh-go" to get the correct vowel sound.
Overemphasizing the "g": Some learners pronounce "g" too harshly, making it sound like "guh". The correct pronunciation is a softer "g" sound, as in "go". Tip: Focus on a smooth transition from "a" to "go".
Skipping the vowel sound: A common mistake is to blend the sounds and say "goh". The correct pronunciation includes the schwa sound "ə" before "go", resulting in "ə-ˈɡoʊ" (US) or "ə-ˈɡəʊ" (UK). Tip: Make sure to pronounce the initial "a" clearly.
Using a long "o" sound: Some people mistakenly elongate the "o" in "go", saying "a-goo". The correct pronunciation has a short "o" sound, as in "go". Tip: Keep the "o" crisp and short for accurate pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "ago"?

The word "ago" is pronounced as /əˈɡoʊ/ in American English and /əˈɡəʊ/ in British English. The first syllable has a schwa sound, represented by "ə", which is a quick and relaxed vowel sound.

What is the stress pattern in "ago"?

In "ago", the stress is on the second syllable, which is indicated by the primary stress mark /ˈɡoʊ/. This means that when you say the word, you should emphasize the "go" part more than the "a".

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "ago"?

One common mistake is to put too much emphasis on the first syllable, saying "A-go" instead of "a-GO". Remember that the correct pronunciation has the stress on the second syllable.

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "ago" in casual speech?

In casual speech, "ago" may be pronounced more quickly, often sounding like /əˈɡoʊ/ or /əˈɡəʊ/ without fully articulating the first syllable. However, the stress still remains on the second syllable, so be mindful of that when speaking.

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