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How to pronounce:
imagination
Definition:
(nou) the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses (nou) the ability to form mental images of things or events (nou) the ability to deal resourcefully with unusual problems
Phonetic Transcription:
ɪˌmædʒɪˈneɪʃən
Examples:
The exhibits help foster creativity and use of the imagination.
They are not figments of the imagination
The name catches the imagination.
Learn more about:imagination
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Common mistakes of imagination pronunciation
- Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "i-ma-'gination". The correct stress is on the third syllable: /ɪˌmædʒ.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ in US and /ɪˌmædʒ.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ in UK. Tip: Focus on the "na" syllable for correct emphasis.
- Vowel sounds: Some may mispronounce the "a" in "imagination" as a short "a" sound like in "cat". The correct pronunciation is a long "a" sound, as in /eɪ/. Tip: Practice saying "day" to get the right vowel sound.
- Final syllable confusion: Learners often pronounce the final "tion" as "shun" instead of the correct "shən" /ʃən/. This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Break down the word into "imagi" and "nation" to clarify the ending.
- Over-emphasizing consonants: Some speakers may over-pronounce the "g" in "imagination", making it sound like "guh". The "g" should be soft, as in /dʒ/. Tip: Say "gem" to practice the soft "g" sound.
- Missing the schwa: A common mistake is omitting the schwa sound in the second syllable, leading to "ima-gin-ation". The correct pronunciation includes a schwa: /ɪˌmædʒ.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/. Tip: Remember that unstressed syllables often contain a schwa sound.