Learn How to Pronounce obligatory

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obligatory

Phonetic Transcription:

əˈblɪɡətr̩i

Examples:

The new orthography is obligatory in schools.

Certainly it is not obligatory that the hijacker hijacks the plane.

That is obligatory under the conventional law of the Charter.

Learn more about:
obligatory

Related Words:

mandatory

required

forced

How to perfect your pronunciation of: obligatory

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Common mistakes of obligatory pronunciation

Stress placement: Many learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, saying "o-BLI-ga-tory" /əˈblɪɡəˌtɔːri/ (UK) instead of the correct first syllable. Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the "ob" in "obligatory".
Vowel confusion: Some speakers pronounce the "i" in "obligatory" as a long vowel, saying "ob-li-GA-tory" /əˈblɪɡəˌtɔri/ (US). The correct pronunciation features a short "i". Tip: Focus on the short "i" sound, as in "bit".
Missing syllables: A common mistake is omitting the second syllable, leading to "OBLIG-tory" /ˈɑːblɪɡtəri/. This creates confusion and miscommunication. Tip: Practice saying all four syllables clearly: "o-BLI-ga-tor-y".
Ending sound: Some learners may pronounce the final "y" as a long "ee" sound, saying "obligatoo-ree" /əˈblɪɡəˌturi/. The correct ending should sound like "tory". Tip: Ensure the final sound is short and crisp, similar to "story".
Incorrect vowel sounds: Some may pronounce the "o" in "obligatory" as a long "o", resulting in "oh-BLI-ga-tory" /oʊˈblɪɡətɔri/. The correct sound is a schwa /ə/. Tip: Practice with the schwa sound to achieve a more natural pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "obligatory" correctly?

The word "obligatory" is pronounced as /əˈblɪɡəˌtɔri/ in American English and /əˈblɪɡəˌtəri/ in British English. The primary stress is on the second syllable "blig," while the secondary stress is on the fourth syllable "ta."

What are the syllables in "obligatory"?

The word "obligatory" has five syllables: o-blig-a-to-ry. Each syllable should be clearly pronounced, with emphasis on the second syllable to maintain the correct rhythm.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "obligatory"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress, often placing it on the first syllable instead of the second. This can lead to confusion, as it may sound like a different word or make it difficult for others to understand.

Is there a schwa sound in "obligatory"?

Yes, the first and the third syllables of "obligatory" contain the schwa sound, represented as /ə/. This sound is often found in unstressed syllables and is pronounced like a quick, soft "uh."