Learn How to Pronounce scary

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scary

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈskeəri

Examples:

The windup was scary.

It would be scary to be in a mortuary.

It was scary to enter the saturnine building.

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scary

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: scary

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Common mistakes of scary pronunciation

  1. Vowel confusion: Some learners mispronounce "scary" by using a long "a" sound, saying /ˈskeəri/ instead of /ˈskɛəri/. Tip: Focus on the short "a" sound as in "cat" to pronounce it correctly.
  2. Stress misplacement: A common mistake is stressing the second syllable, saying /skəˈri/ instead of /ˈskɛəri/. Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable to get it right.
  3. Dropping the "r": Some speakers may say "scary" as /ˈskeɪi/, omitting the "r" sound. Tip: Practice the "r" by saying it clearly after the "k" sound to maintain the correct pronunciation.
  4. Incorrect vowel length: Learners might pronounce "scary" with an overly long "e" sound, saying /ˈskeːəri/. Tip: Keep the vowel short and crisp, similar to how you would say "air" to avoid this mistake.
  5. Overemphasizing the "s": Some may pronounce "scary" with an exaggerated "s" sound, resulting in /ˈskeəri/. Tip: Keep the "s" sound soft and subtle, focusing on the smooth transition into the "k" sound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "scary" correctly?

In American English, "scary" is pronounced as /ˈskɛri/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "sc" sounds like "sk," and the "a" is pronounced as the short "e" sound, like in "bed."

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "scary" between US and UK English?

No, the pronunciation of "scary" is the same in both American and British English, /ˈskɛri/. The stress pattern and vowel sounds remain consistent across both dialects.

What syllable stress does the word "scary" have?

The word "scary" has primary stress on the first syllable, pronounced as /ˈskɛri/. This means you should emphasize the "scar" part when saying the word.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "scary"?

One common mistake is mispronouncing the "a" sound; some may say it like "scarry" with a longer "a." Remember, it should sound like the short "e" in "bed."
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