Learn How to Pronounce brief
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How to pronounce:
brief
Definition:
(nou) a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case (nou) a condensed written summary or abstract
Phonetic Transcription:
briːf
Examples:
They have a short palaver, followed by a brief skirmish.
The embrace was brief and traumatic.
It is a brief history of the ragtime era.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: brief
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Common mistakes of brief pronunciation
- Incorrect vowel sound: Some people pronounce "brief" with a long "ee" sound, making it sound like "breef". This is incorrect; the correct pronunciation is /briːf/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on the short "i" sound to avoid this mistake.
- Misplaced stress: A common error is stressing the second syllable, saying "bri-ef". However, "brief" is a one-syllable word with stress on the only syllable: /briːf/. Tip: Remember that "brief" has no second syllable to stress.
- Overemphasis on the "r": Some learners exaggerate the "r" sound, making it sound like "breeef". The correct pronunciation is /briːf/, where the "r" is subtle. Tip: Keep the "r" light and focus on the vowel sound.
- Dropping the final sound: A mistake occurs when people say "bri" and omit the "f" sound at the end. The full pronunciation is /briːf/. Tip: Ensure you pronounce the final "f" clearly to complete the word.
- Confusion with similar words: Some may confuse "brief" with "breathe", pronouncing it as /briːð/. "Brief" should be pronounced /briːf/. Tip: Practice distinguishing between the "f" sound in "brief" and the "th" sound in "breathe".