Learn How to Pronounce critical

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critical

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈkrɪtɪkəl

Examples:

A new critical edition of Reportatio B remains a desideratum of research.

Learn more about:
critical

Related Words:

bad

comment

research

How to perfect your pronunciation of: critical

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Common mistakes of critical pronunciation

Stress placement: Some learners mistakenly stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as "cri-TI-cal" /krɪˈtɪkəl/ instead of the correct first syllable stress. Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable: "CRItical".
Vowel sound confusion: The vowel sound in the first syllable can be mispronounced as /ɪ/ instead of the correct /ɪ/. This leads to saying "CRIT-ical" instead of "CRItical". Tip: Focus on the short "i" sound in "critical".
Missing the schwa: Some speakers omit the schwa sound in the last syllable, pronouncing it as "critical" /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/ instead of "critical" /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/. Tip: Make sure to include the unstressed "a" sound in the final syllable.
Overemphasis on the "t": Many people pronounce the "t" too harshly, saying "crit-ical" with a strong "t" sound. The correct pronunciation is softer. Tip: Pronounce "t" lightly while maintaining clarity.
Incorrect syllable division: Some learners divide the syllables incorrectly, saying "cri-tic-al" instead of "cri-ti-cal". This can confuse listeners. Tip: Practice saying "critical" as three syllables, ensuring smooth transitions between them.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "critical" in American English?

In American English, "critical" is pronounced as /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/. The primary stress is on the first syllable "crit," which sounds like "krit."

What is the British pronunciation of "critical"?

In British English, "critical" is pronounced the same way as in American English: /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/. The stress remains on the first syllable, making it consistent across both dialects.

Does "critical" have a schwa sound in its pronunciation?

Yes, "critical" has a schwa sound in the second syllable. The "i" in "cal" is pronounced as a schwa, sounding like "kuhl," which is common in unstressed syllables.

What are some common mistakes when pronouncing "critical"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "cri-TI-cal" instead of "CRIt-i-cal." Remember, the stress should always be on the first syllable for correct pronunciation.