Learn How to Pronounce early
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:
Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!
How to pronounce:
early
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈɜːli
Examples:
Flowering begins early in the life of the tree.
Flowering begins very early in the life of the tree.
In the early 1960s the couple found a new avocation.
Learn more about:early
Related Words:
How to perfect your pronunciation of: early
Learn Individual Sounds
Break early down into individual sounds such as ˈɜːli. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.
Copy Others
Use the tools above to find out how different people say early 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 early in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with early.
Get a Native Tutor
Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.
Common mistakes of early pronunciation
- Misplacing the stress: Some learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, pronouncing it as "ear-ly". The correct pronunciation is "ˈɜr.li" (US) or "ˈɜː.li" (UK). Tip: Focus on stressing the first syllable.
- Overpronouncing the "r": In "early", the "r" can be overemphasized, making it sound harsh. Aim for a softer "r" sound, as in "ˈɜr.li" (US). Tip: Keep the "r" subtle and smooth.
- Incorrect vowel sound: Many pronounce "early" with a short "e" sound, as in "bet". The correct vowel is a mid-central vowel, "ɜ" (as in "her"). Tip: Practice the "ɜ" sound to avoid confusion.
- Adding an extra vowel: Some might say "ear-lee", adding an unnecessary syllable. The word should have only two syllables: "ˈɜr.li" (US) or "ˈɜː.li" (UK). Tip: Remember that "early" has a concise two-syllable structure.
- Confusing with similar words: Learners may confuse "early" with "easily" due to similar beginnings. "Early" is pronounced "ˈɜr.li" (US) or "ˈɜː.li" (UK), while "easily" has a different stress pattern. Tip: Practice distinguishing the two by emphasizing the syllable stress in each word.