Learn How to Pronounce less
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How to pronounce:
less
Phonetic Transcription:
les
Examples:
Assuming he was a little less stingy and gave the army a little raise
They are assuming he was a little less stingy and gave the army a little raise.
The case of speculators is a little more technical, and less obvious.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: less
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Common mistakes of less pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners may pronounce "less" with an incorrect vowel sound, saying /leɪs/ instead of /lɛs/. Tip: Focus on the short "e" sound, as in "bed" to ensure accuracy.
- Overemphasizing the "s": A common mistake is to overpronounce the "s" at the end, making it sound like "lesss." Tip: Keep the "s" soft and subtle, as in /lɛs/, to maintain natural flow.
- Incorrect syllable stress: Learners might incorrectly stress the first syllable, saying "LESS" instead of the correct unstressed form. Tip: Remember that "less" is a single syllable word, so it should be pronounced as /lɛs/ with no added emphasis.
- Mixing up with "lesser": Some may confuse "less" with "lesser," pronouncing them similarly. "Lesser" has an extra syllable and is pronounced /ˈlɛsər/. Tip: Practice distinguishing the two by focusing on the syllable count and stress patterns.
- Adding extra sounds: Occasionally, speakers might add an extra vowel sound, saying "lesse" or "lessuh." Tip: Stick to the simple pronunciation /lɛs/ without additional sounds for clarity and correctness.