Learn How to Pronounce desperate

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desperate

Definition:

(nou) a person who is frightened and in need of help

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈdespərət

Examples:

For the Regency, the situation was desperate.

Nguyen was desperate or gasconading.

In the meantime, the situation becomes desperate.

Learn more about:
desperate

Related Words:

want

wish

How to perfect your pronunciation of: desperate

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Common mistakes of desperate pronunciation

Stress placement: Many people incorrectly stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as /ˈdɛs.pər.ət/. The correct stress is on the first syllable: /ˈdɛs.pər.ɪt/. Tip: Remember to emphasize the "des" in "desperate."
Vowel sound confusion: Some learners may confuse the vowel sound in the second syllable, pronouncing it as /ɛ/ instead of /ə/. The second syllable should sound like "pər." Tip: Practice saying "purr" to get the right sound.
Ending pronunciation: It's common to mispronounce the final "ate" as /eɪt/, leading to "desperate" sounding like /ˈdɛs.pə.reɪt/. The correct pronunciation ends with a short "it" sound: /ɪt/. Tip: Focus on saying "it" quickly after "pər."
Syllable count: Some may mistakenly pronounce "desperate" with three syllables, as in /ˈdɛs.pə.rət/. This is incorrect; it has only two syllables. Tip: Break it down into "des-per-it" to remember the correct syllable count.
Overemphasis on "t": A common error is to overemphasize the "t" sound at the end, pronouncing it too harshly. The "t" in "desperate" should be soft and quick. Tip: Say it in a flowing manner to keep the rhythm smooth.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "desperate" in American English?

In American English, "desperate" is pronounced as /ˈdɛsprɪt/. The stress is on the first syllable, "des," and the second syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, making it sound like "prit."

What is the British pronunciation of "desperate"?

In British English, "desperate" is also pronounced as /ˈdɛsprət/. The primary stress remains on the first syllable, similar to the American version, but the second syllable has a clearer "ət" sound compared to the American schwa.

How many syllables are in the word "desperate"?

The word "desperate" has three syllables: "des," "per," and "ate." This can sometimes be confusing because in casual speech, it may sound like it has only two syllables.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "desperate"?

A common mistake is pronouncing "desperate" as /ˈdɛspərɪt/, adding an extra vowel sound that isn't there. Remember, it's important to keep the pronunciation to three syllables, focusing on the correct stress and vowel sounds.