Learn How to Pronounce earn

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earn

Phonetic Transcription:

ɜːn

Examples:

As a scullion, he does not earn a lot.

Learn more about:
earn

Related Words:

collect

obtain

How to perfect your pronunciation of: earn

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Common mistakes of earn pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "earn" with a short vowel sound, like "e" in "pen." It should be pronounced with the long vowel sound /ɜː/ (UK) or /ɜr/ (US). Tip: Focus on the "ear" sound, as in "hear."
Overemphasizing the "r": In some accents, the "r" in "earn" may be pronounced too strongly, making it sound like "earn" has an extra syllable. The correct pronunciation is /ɜːrn/ (UK) or /ɜrn/ (US). Tip: Keep the "r" subtle and smooth.
Incorrect stress placement: Learners sometimes place stress incorrectly, pronouncing it as "earn" instead of the correct /ɜːrn/ (UK) or /ɜrn/ (US). Tip: Remember that "earn" is a single-syllable word, so it has no secondary stress.
Confusing with similar words: Some may confuse "earn" with "urn" or "earnest," pronouncing it incorrectly. "Earn" should not have a nasal "n" sound at the end. Tip: Practice differentiating "earn" (/ɜːrn/ or /ɜrn/) from these other words.
Neglecting the "n" sound: Learners sometimes drop the "n" at the end of "earn," making it sound incomplete. The correct ending is crucial for clarity. Tip: Clearly articulate the "n" sound to ensure proper pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "earn" in American English?

In American English, "earn" is pronounced as /ɜrn/ with a single syllable. The vowel sound is similar to the "ur" in "burn," and the "r" is pronounced clearly.

What is the British pronunciation of "earn"?

In British English, "earn" is pronounced as /ɜːn/. The primary difference is that the vowel sound is longer, resembling the "ir" in "bird."

Is there a schwa sound in the pronunciation of "earn"?

No, there is no schwa sound in "earn." The vowel sound is more pronounced, and the word is stressed on the vowel, making it clear and distinct.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "earn"?

A common mistake is to pronounce "earn" with a short vowel sound, like /ɛrn/, similar to "urn." Remember to use the long vowel sound /ɜrn/ to avoid confusion with words like "urn."