Learn How to Pronounce graduate

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graduate

Definition:

(nou) a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university) (nou) a measuring instrument for measuring fluid volume; a glass container (cup or cylinder or flask) whose sides are marked with or divided into amounts

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈɡrædʒʊeɪt

Examples:

The class of 1974 was the first to graduate.

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Common mistakes of graduate pronunciation

  1. Misplacing the stress: Some learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, saying "gra-DU-ate" instead of "GRAD-uate". Tip: Remember to stress the first syllable, as in /ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt/ (US) and /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ (UK).
  2. Omitting the vowel sound: It's common to drop the "u" sound in the second syllable, pronouncing it as "grad-ate". This leads to confusion. Tip: Ensure you pronounce the full "u" sound in "graduate", as in /ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt/ (US).
  3. Confusing the ending: Some may incorrectly pronounce the ending as "ate" instead of "u-ate". This changes the meaning. Tip: Focus on the "u" sound to maintain clarity, as in /ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt/ (US) and /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ (UK).
  4. Incorrect vowel length: Learners sometimes shorten the "a" sound, saying "grad-yate". This alters the pronunciation. Tip: Lengthen the "a" sound to match the correct stress, pronounced as /ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt/ (US) and /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ (UK).
  5. Mispronouncing the "g": Some might pronounce the "g" as a hard "g" like in "go". This is incorrect. Tip: Use the soft "g" sound, as in "judge", to accurately pronounce "graduate" as /ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt/ (US) and /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ (UK).

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "graduate" in American English?

In American English, "graduate" is pronounced as /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/. The stress is on the first syllable, "grad," which sounds like "grad" in "grass."

What is the British pronunciation of "graduate"?

In British English, "graduate" is pronounced as /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ as well, with the same primary stress on the first syllable. The pronunciation is quite similar to the American version.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "graduate"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "gra-duate" instead of "grad-uate." Remember to emphasize the first syllable, "grad," to pronounce it correctly.

How many syllables are in the word "graduate"?

The word "graduate" has three syllables: "grad," "u," and "ate." It is important to pronounce each syllable clearly, especially the "u" which can sound like a schwa /ə/ in quick speech.
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