Learn How to Pronounce determine
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How to pronounce:
determine
Phonetic Transcription:
dɪˈtɜːmɪn
Examples:
Joseph's decision to prepay her student loan should be based on factors that determine the best use of her income.
They did not determine it to be inauthentic.
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Common mistakes of determine pronunciation
- Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "de-ˈter-mine". In English, the primary stress is on the third syllable: "dɪ-ˈtɜːr-mɪn" (US) and "dɪ-ˈtɜː-mɪn" (UK). Tip: Remember to emphasize the "tɜːr" or "tɜː" sound.
- Vowel confusion: Some may pronounce "determine" with a short "e" as in "bet", saying "dɪ-ˈtɛm-ɪn". The correct pronunciation features a schwa sound in the second syllable: "dɪ-ˈtɜːr-mɪn" (US) and "dɪ-ˈtɜː-mɪn" (UK). Tip: Focus on the "ɜː" sound, which is longer and more relaxed.
- Final "e" sound: Learners might omit the final "e" sound, pronouncing it as "dɪ-ˈtɜːr-mɪn". However, the correct form includes a soft ending: "dɪ-ˈtɜːr-mɪn" (US) and "dɪ-ˈtɜː-mɪn" (UK). Tip: Make sure to articulate the "mɪn" clearly.
- Syllable count: Some people mistakenly treat "determine" as having three syllables, saying "de-ter-mine". It actually has only three syllables: "dɪ-ˈtɜːr-mɪn" (US) and "dɪ-ˈtɜː-mɪn" (UK). Tip: Practice breaking it down into "de-tɜːr-mine" to see the correct syllable structure.
- "t" sound: A common error is softening the "t" sound, pronouncing it as "dɪ-ˈdɜː-mɪn". The "t" should be clear and crisp: "dɪ-ˈtɜːr-mɪn" (US) and "dɪ-ˈtɜː-mɪn" (UK). Tip: Emphasize the "t" to ensure clarity in your pronunciation.