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helpful

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈhelpfəl

Examples:

Division of the membership on the use of the userbox is not helpful.

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helpful

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: helpful

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Common mistakes of helpful pronunciation

  1. Stress misplacement: Some learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, saying "help-'ful" instead of the correct "'help-ful". Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable, as shown in IPA: /ˈhɛlpfəl/ (US), /ˈhɛlpfəl/ (UK).
  2. Vowel confusion: The vowel sound in the first syllable can be confused with a short "e" sound, leading to "hepful". Tip: Focus on producing the correct short "e" sound, as in "bed", to avoid this mistake.
  3. Unclear ending: Some speakers might drop the "l" sound at the end, pronouncing it as "help-fuh". Tip: Make sure to articulate the "l" clearly, ensuring the word sounds complete: /ˈhɛlpfəl/.
  4. Overemphasis on "p": Learners may overemphasize the "p" sound, resulting in "help-full". Tip: Maintain a balanced pronunciation by softening the "p" and connecting it smoothly to the "f" sound.
  5. Incorrect syllable count: Some may mistakenly pronounce "helpful" as two syllables, saying "help-ful". Tip: Remember that "helpful" is a three-syllable word, which is pronounced as /ˈhɛlpfəl/ in both US and UK English.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "helpful" in American English?

In American English, "helpful" is pronounced as /ˈhɛlpfəl/. The first syllable "help" has the primary stress, while the second syllable "ful" is pronounced with a schwa sound, making it sound like "fəl."

What is the British pronunciation of "helpful"?

In British English, "helpful" is also pronounced as /ˈhɛlpfəl/, similar to American English. The stress remains on the first syllable, and the second syllable retains the schwa sound, pronounced as "fəl."

How many syllables are in "helpful"?

The word "helpful" has two syllables: "help" and "ful." The first syllable is stressed, making it the more prominent part of the word.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "helpful"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, pronouncing it as "HELP-ful" instead of "help-FUL." Remember to stress the first syllable and use the schwa sound in the second syllable for correct pronunciation.
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