Learn How to Pronounce elephant
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How to pronounce:
elephant
Definition:
(nou) five-toed pachyderm (nou) the symbol of the Republican Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈelɪfənt
Examples:
It is the elephant gun of the pharmacy.
The elephant ivory is expensive.
The turtle ran to the elephant.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: elephant
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Common mistakes of elephant pronunciation
- Misplacing the stress: Some learners place the stress incorrectly on the second syllable, saying "e-LEPH-ant" instead of "EL-e-phant" (ˈɛlɪfənt). Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable.
- Dropping the vowel sound: A common mistake is to omit the schwa sound in the second syllable, leading to "EL-fant." This can make pronunciation unclear. Tip: Ensure to pronounce the second syllable as "e" (ɪ) to maintain clarity.
- Confusing the "ph" sound: Some might pronounce "elephant" with an "f" sound, saying "EL-e-fant." This is incorrect as "ph" in "elephant" is pronounced as "f." Tip: Focus on the "ph" producing the "f" sound (f) in "elephant."
- Mispronouncing the ending: Learners may say "elephan" without the final "t," resulting in a truncated version. The correct pronunciation ends with "t" (t). Tip: Practice saying the full word to ensure you include the final consonant sound.
- Overemphasizing the syllables: Some speakers might overly stress each syllable, saying "E-LE-PHANT." This can make the word sound unnatural. Tip: Keep a smooth flow and emphasize only the first syllable for natural pronunciation.