Learn How to Pronounce boycott
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How to pronounce:
boycott
Definition:
(nou) a group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈboɪkɒt
Examples:
The terms of the boycott are negotiable.
The boycott then spread to the South and the East.
Because of the boycott the cost of construction was huge.
Learn more about:boycott
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: boycott
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Common mistakes of boycott pronunciation
- Misplacing stress: Some learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, pronouncing it as "boy-ˈkɒt". The correct stress is on the first syllable: "ˈbɔɪ.kɒt" (UK) and "ˈbɔɪ.kɑt" (US). Tip: Always emphasize the first syllable.
- Incorrect vowel sound: A common mistake is mispronouncing the vowel sound in the first syllable. Some say "bɔɪ" as "boi", missing the diphthong. The correct pronunciation is "bɔɪ" as in "boy". Tip: Practice the diphthong by saying "boy" clearly.
- Omitting the final "t": Some speakers may drop the final "t," saying "boycot" instead of "boycott" (/ˈbɔɪ.kɒt/ UK, /ˈbɔɪ.kɑt/ US). This changes the word and can confuse listeners. Tip: Always pronounce the final "t" clearly.
- Confusing "boycott" with "bought": Some might confuse "boycott" with "bought" due to similar sounds. "Boycott" has a distinct first syllable "bɔɪ" compared to "bɔt" in "bought". Tip: Focus on the first syllable's diphthong to distinguish the words.
- Mispronouncing the second syllable: Some learners may pronounce the second syllable as "cot" instead of "kɒt" (UK) or "kɑt" (US). This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Make sure to articulate the "k" sound in the second syllable.