Learn How to Pronounce detect

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Try:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

detect

Phonetic Transcription:

dɪˈtekt

Examples:

Girls can detect insincerity like a shark detects blood.

Women detect insincerity in the same way a shark detects blood.

Do I detect the stench

Learn more about:

detect

Related Words:

How to perfect your pronunciation of: detect

Learn Individual Sounds

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

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say detect in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say detect in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with detect.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of detect pronunciation

  1. Common vowel confusion: Some learners may mispronounce the "e" in "detect" as a long vowel sound, resulting in "dee-tect" instead of the correct short vowel sound /ɪ/. Tip: Focus on producing a short, quick "e" sound as in "sit".
  2. Stress misplacement: The primary stress in "detect" is on the second syllable (dɪˈtɛkt). Some may incorrectly stress the first syllable, saying "DE-tect". Tip: Practice emphasizing the second syllable to improve clarity.
  3. Overemphasizing the "t": Learners often pronounce the "t" in "detect" too forcefully, making it sound like "deh-TEKT". The correct pronunciation is softer, /t/, without extra force. Tip: Relax your tongue when articulating the "t" sound.
  4. Dropping the final consonant: Some may say "de-tect" without clearly articulating the final "t", which can lead to misunderstanding. The correct pronunciation includes the final /t/. Tip: Pay attention to the end of the word to ensure clarity.
  5. Incorrect vowel length: Mispronouncing the "e" as a long vowel can lead to confusion with similar words. For example, saying "dee-tect" instead of "detect". Tip: Listen to native speakers to grasp the correct vowel length and sound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "detect" in American English?

In American English, "detect" is pronounced as /dɪˈtɛkt/. The primary stress is on the second syllable, which sounds like "tekt."

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "detect" between American and British English?

No, the pronunciation of "detect" is the same in both American and British English, /dɪˈtɛkt/. The stress pattern and vowel sounds remain consistent across these dialects.

What is the syllable breakdown for the word "detect"?

The word "detect" has two syllables: "de-" and "-tect." The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, as in "sit," while the second syllable has the "e" pronounced like the "e" in "bet."

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "detect"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, such as saying "DE-tect" instead of "de-TECT." Remember that the stress is on the second syllable, which helps clarify the word's meaning.
Improve your pronunciation with a convenient app anywhere, anytime