Learn How to Pronounce awful
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How to pronounce:
awful
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈɔːfəl
Examples:
Disrespecting adults is awful.
The structure of the article is awful.
They guzzle an awful lot of coffee here.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: awful
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Common mistakes of awful pronunciation
- Misplacing stress: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "aw-FUL" instead of the correct "AW-ful" (ˈɔː.fəl in UK, ˈɔː.fəl in US). Tip: Focus on emphasizing the first syllable.
- Vowel confusion: Some may pronounce the "aw" as in "cat," leading to "cat-ful" instead of "awful." The correct sound is more like "aw" in "law." Tip: Practice saying "aw" clearly as in "saw."
- Overpronouncing "l": Learners sometimes exaggerate the "l" sound, making it sound like "aw-fuhl." The correct pronunciation is more subtle, as in "awful" (ˈɔː.fəl). Tip: Keep the "l" soft and quick.
- Dropping the vowel sound: Some might say "awf" instead of "awful," omitting the "u" sound. This can change the word's meaning entirely. Tip: Ensure you include the "u" sound, as in "fuhl."
- Confusing with "awfully": Some confuse "awful" with "awfully," mistakenly adding extra syllables. "Awful" has two syllables, while "awfully" has three (ˈɔː.fəl.i). Tip: Remember the syllable count for clarity.