Learn How to Pronounce figuratively

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How to pronounce:
figuratively
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈfɪɡjərətɪvli
Examples:
She is, figuratively speaking, burning the stake.

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Common mistakes of figuratively pronunciation

- Misplacing stress: Many speakers incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "fi-ˈgura-tively". The correct stress is on the third syllable: "ˈfɪg.jə.rə.tɪv.li". Tip: Focus on stressing "g" to improve clarity.
- Skipping syllables: Some pronounce "figuratively" as "ˈfɪg.rə.tiv.li", omitting the "u". This can lead to misunderstanding. Tip: Practice each syllable slowly: "fi-gur-a-tive-ly".
- Incorrect vowel sounds: The "u" in "figuratively" is often mispronounced as "ʌ" instead of "ə", leading to "fig-ˈʌr-a-tively". The correct pronunciation is "ˈfɪg.jə.rə.tɪv.li". Tip: Listen to native speakers to hear the correct vowel sound.
- Overemphasizing the final "ly": Some speakers overly stress the last syllable, saying "figurativ-ELY". The correct pronunciation is more balanced: "ˈfɪg.jə.rə.tɪv.li". Tip: Practice saying the word smoothly to avoid overemphasis.
- Confusing with similar words: "Figuratively" is often confused with "literally", leading to mispronunciations. "Literally" has a different stress pattern: "ˈlɪt.ər.ə.li". Tip: Memorize the distinct stress patterns to differentiate these words.