Learn How to Pronounce both

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both

Phonetic Transcription:

bəʊθ

Examples:

The issue of the wording is both too trivial and too inflammatory.

The assertion is both too facile and erroneous.

The match and the fuse together both pilot the fire.

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both

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: both

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Common mistakes of both pronunciation

  1. Misplacing the "b" sound: Some learners may pronounce "both" starting with a "p" sound instead of "b". This can lead to confusion. Tip: Focus on the voiced "b" sound /b/ at the beginning, as in "bat".
  2. Omitting the "th" sound: A common mistake is to say "both" as "bo" or "boe", dropping the "th". The "th" in "both" is pronounced /θ/. Tip: Practice the "th" sound by placing your tongue between your teeth and blowing air gently.
  3. Incorrect vowel length: Some might pronounce "both" with a short vowel sound, making it sound like "buth". The correct pronunciation uses a long vowel sound /oʊ/ in US English and /əʊ/ in UK English. Tip: Stretch the vowel sound a little longer to maintain clarity.
  4. Stressing the wrong syllable: Learners may incorrectly stress the second part of the word, saying "bOth". However, "both" is a single-syllable word. Tip: Remember that "both" has one syllable, so the stress is naturally on the "b" sound.
  5. Confusing with similar words: Some might confuse "both" with "bothers" or "boath". The distinct "th" sound in "both" is crucial. Tip: Practice by saying "both" clearly, emphasizing the /θ/ sound to differentiate it from similar-sounding words.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "both"?

The word "both" is pronounced as /boʊθ/ in American English and /bəʊθ/ in British English. The primary stress is on the single syllable, making it straightforward to articulate.

What is the correct syllable count for "both"?

"Both" has one syllable, which makes it a monosyllabic word. This simplicity contributes to its ease of pronunciation in everyday speech.

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "both"?

A common mistake is misplacing the vowel sound, often pronouncing it as "bōth" instead of /boʊθ/ or /bəʊθ/. It's essential to ensure the "o" is pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "both" in different accents?

Yes, there are slight variations; for example, in American English, it is /boʊθ/, while in British English, it is /bəʊθ/. These differences mainly affect the vowel sound, but the overall pronunciation remains similar.
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