Learn How to Pronounce maternity
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How to pronounce:
maternity
Definition:
(nou) the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus (nou) the kinship relation between an offspring and the mother (nou) the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother
Phonetic Transcription:
məˈtɜːnɪti
Examples:
The teacher is on a maternity leave.
Obstetricians are essential to the maternity system.
She is taking maternity in the 2010 season.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: maternity
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Common mistakes of maternity pronunciation
- Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "ma-ˈternity" instead of the correct "mə-ˈtɜrn-ɪ-ti" (US) or "mə-ˈtɜːn-ɪ-ti" (UK). Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the third syllable.
- Vowel confusion: Some people pronounce the first syllable as "ma" instead of "mə". This leads to mispronouncing "maternity" as "ma-ternity". Tip: Use a schwa sound "ə" for the unstressed first syllable.
- Missing syllable: A common mistake is omitting the last syllable, resulting in "matern" instead of "maternity". Tip: Practice saying the full word, ensuring to articulate each syllable: "mə-ˈtɜrn-ɪ-ti".
- Incorrect vowel sounds: Some may pronounce the "e" in the second syllable as "ay", leading to "ma-ˈtern-ay-ty". This is incorrect. Tip: Focus on the short "e" sound, represented as "ɪ", to get it right.
- Overemphasizing consonants: Learners might overemphasize the "t" in "maternity", making it sound harsh. Instead, it should be a softer "t" sound. Tip: Keep the "t" light and smooth, blending it naturally with the surrounding vowels.