Learn How to Pronounce governor

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governor

Definition:

(nou) the head of a state government (nou) a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel)

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈɡʌvənə

Examples:

The governor was the president of the Council.

The governor is the ex president of the board.

The mayor is holding the new charter and shaking hands with the governor.

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governor

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: governor

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Common mistakes of governor pronunciation

  1. Misplacing the stress: Many speakers incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "go-VER-nor" instead of the correct "GOV-ernor" (ˈɡʌv.ər.nər in US, ˈgʌv.ən.ə in UK). Tip: Focus on emphasizing the first syllable.
  2. Overpronouncing the "o": Some tend to overemphasize the "o" in "governor," making it sound like "goh-vernor." The correct pronunciation is "gov" (ˈɡʌv) with a short "o." Tip: Keep the "o" sound brief and relaxed.
  3. Ignoring the schwa sound: It's common to skip the schwa sound in the second syllable, leading to "gov-ner" instead of "gov-ernor." The schwa is represented as /ə/ in IPA. Tip: Remember that unstressed syllables often contain a schwa sound.
  4. Mispronouncing the "n": Some people pronounce "governor" with a hard "n" at the end, saying "gover-nor." The correct pronunciation includes a softer "n," as in "nər" (ˈnər). Tip: Practice saying the word slowly to ensure a soft ending.
  5. Confusing with similar words: Speakers may confuse "governor" with "governess," leading to incorrect pronunciation. "Governess" has a different stress pattern and pronunciation. Tip: Familiarize yourself with similar words to avoid mix-ups.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "governor" correctly?

In American English, "governor" is pronounced as /ˈɡʌv.ər.nər/, with the stress on the first syllable. In British English, it is pronounced as /ˈɡʌv.ən.ə/, where the second syllable has a schwa sound.

What is the syllable breakdown for "governor"?

The word "governor" has three syllables: "gov," "er," and "nor." The first syllable is stressed, while the other two are less emphasized.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "governor"?

Many people mistakenly emphasize the second syllable or pronounce it with a hard "g." Remember to stress the first syllable and use a softer "g" sound at the beginning.

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "governor" in different regions?

Yes, regional accents can affect the pronunciation of "governor." For instance, in some Southern American accents, the vowels may sound different, but the primary stress remains on the first syllable.
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