Learn How to Pronounce foul
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How to pronounce:
foul
Definition:
(nou) an act that violates the rules of a sport
Phonetic Transcription:
faʊl
Examples:
During the summer months the river smelled foul and was mostly dry and stagnant.
The man used the foul language.
The third foul disqualifies the player.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: foul
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Common mistakes of foul pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "foul" with a short "o" sound, like in "hot" [hɒt]. This is incorrect; it should be pronounced with the diphthong sound [aʊ]. Tip: Focus on blending the sounds to achieve the correct pronunciation [faʊl].
- Ignoring the "f" sound: A common mistake is omitting the initial "f" sound, pronouncing it as "owl" instead. This alters the word entirely. Tip: Practice saying "f" by placing your top teeth on your bottom lip to create the right sound.
- Incorrect stress placement: Some may incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "foul" as "fou-l." However, "foul" is a single-syllable word with stress on the first part. Tip: Emphasize "foul" as a single sound [faʊl] to avoid confusion.
- Confusing with similar words: Learners often confuse "foul" with "fowl," which sounds similar but has a different meaning. "Fowl" refers to birds, while "foul" can mean something unpleasant or a violation. Tip: Remember the context to distinguish between the two.
- Overemphasizing the "l": Some people may overemphasize the "l" at the end of "foul," making it sound like "fow-l." This is incorrect as "foul" ends smoothly with the "l" sound. Tip: Practice saying "foul" quickly to ensure the "l" is not overly pronounced.