Learn How to Pronounce been

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been

Definition:

(nou) a light strong brittle grey toxic bivalent metallic element

Phonetic Transcription:

bi

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: been

Learn Individual Sounds

Break been down into individual sounds such as bi. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Common mistakes of been pronunciation

  1. Mispronouncing the vowel sound: Some learners say "been" as /bɪn/ instead of /biːn/ (UK) or /bɪn/ (US). This changes the meaning. Tip: Practice saying the long "ee" sound as in "seen".
  2. Confusing with "bean": The word "been" is often confused with "bean" (/biːn/), leading to mispronunciation. Both words sound the same, but "been" has a different context. Tip: Focus on the context when using "been".
  3. Incorrect stress placement: Some speakers incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying /ˈbɪn/ instead of /biːn/. This can sound unnatural. Tip: Remember that "been" is a single-syllable word with no secondary stress.
  4. Overemphasizing the "b": Learners sometimes pronounce "been" with an exaggerated "b" sound, making it sound overly clipped. The "b" should be soft and smooth. Tip: Relax your lips when saying "been" to maintain a natural flow.
  5. Mixing up past tense forms: Some may pronounce "been" incorrectly when using it in past tense forms, thinking it should sound like /bɛn/. This can confuse listeners. Tip: Practice using "been" in sentences to reinforce its correct pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "been"?

In American English, "been" is pronounced as /bɪn/ with a short "i" sound. In British English, it can be pronounced as /biːn/ with a long "ee" sound.

What is the stress pattern for "been"?

The word "been" is a one-syllable word, so it does not have a stress pattern like multi-syllable words. However, in connected speech, it can sometimes be pronounced quickly, sounding more like /bən/ in casual conversation.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "been"?

A common mistake is pronouncing "been" with a long vowel sound, as in "bean." Remember, in American English, it is often pronounced with a short "i" sound /bɪn/.

Is "been" a homophone?

Yes, "been" is a homophone for "bean," which means they sound the same in some accents. However, they have different meanings, so it's important to use them correctly in context.
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