Learn How to Pronounce incumbent

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incumbent

Definition:

(nou) the official who holds an office

Phonetic Transcription:

ɪnˈkʌmbənt

Examples:

He was the incumbent in the election.

The article is about the office and not the incumbent.

This was considered to be a foregone conclusion for the incumbent.

Learn more about:
incumbent

Related Words:

president

How to perfect your pronunciation of: incumbent

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Common mistakes of incumbent pronunciation

Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "in-CUM-bent" instead of the correct "in-CUM-bent" (ˈɪnˌkʌm.bənt in US, ˈɪn.kʌm.bənt in UK). Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable.
Vowel sound confusion: Some may mispronounce the first vowel in "incumbent" as a long "i" sound, saying "in-kum-bent." The correct sound is a short "i" (ˈɪn). Tip: Focus on keeping the "i" short and crisp.
Final "t" sound: A common mistake is dropping the final "t," resulting in "incumben." This can lead to confusion with other words. Tip: Always pronounce the final "t" clearly to maintain the word's integrity.
Syllable separation: Learners might overly separate the syllables, saying "in-cum-bent," which disrupts the flow. The correct pronunciation has a smoother transition. Tip: Practice saying the word in one fluid motion to improve fluency.
Misidentifying the "c": Some may pronounce the "c" as an "s," resulting in "in-sumbent." This mispronunciation changes the word entirely. Tip: Ensure the "c" is pronounced as a hard "k" sound to avoid confusion.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "incumbent"?

The word "incumbent" is pronounced as /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/ in both US and UK English. The primary stress is on the second syllable, "cumb," while the first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, like in "in."

What are the syllables in "incumbent"?

"Incumbent" has three syllables: in-cum-bent. The first syllable "in" is short, the second syllable "cum" has the primary stress, and the last syllable "bent" is pronounced with a clear "e" sound.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "incumbent"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, such as stressing the first syllable instead of the second. Remember to emphasize "cumb" to pronounce "incumbent" correctly.

Does "incumbent" have any regional pronunciation differences?

There are no significant regional pronunciation differences for "incumbent" in American and British English. Both variants use the same IPA transcription /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/, ensuring consistent pronunciation across regions.