Learn How to Pronounce second
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How to pronounce:
second
Definition:
(nou) 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (nou) an indefinitely short time (nou) the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the second of the bases in the infield (nou) a particular point in time (nou) following the first in an ordering or series (nou) a 60th part of a minute of arc (nou) the official attendant of a contestant in a duel or boxing match (nou) a speech seconding a motion (nou) the gear that has the second lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle (nou) merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈsekənd
Examples:
What is 'phonic wheel' in teaching English for second language speaker
The first work also lends credence to the reliability of the second work.
His second job was again as a clerk but this time at Billingsgate fish market.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: second
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Common mistakes of second pronunciation
- Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the first syllable, saying "SECond" instead of the correct "SECond" (ˈsɛk.ənd in US, ˈsɛk.ənd in UK). Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable lightly and the second syllable more strongly.
- Vowel sound confusion: Some people pronounce "second" with a long vowel sound, saying "see-cond" instead of the correct short vowel sound "se" (ˈsɛk.ənd). Tip: Practice the short "e" sound, as in "bed," to achieve the correct pronunciation.
- Omitting the schwa: A common mistake is dropping the schwa sound in the second syllable, leading to "secnd" instead of "second" (ˈsɛk.ənd). Tip: Ensure you pronounce the "ə" sound clearly, as it helps maintain the word's rhythm.
- Mispronouncing the "c": Some learners pronounce the "c" in "second" as a hard "k" sound, saying "sekond" instead of the correct "s" sound (ˈsɛk.ənd). Tip: Focus on the "s" sound at the beginning to avoid this error.
- Incorrect syllable division: People may mistakenly divide "second" into three syllables, pronouncing it as "se-cond" instead of the correct two-syllable form (ˈsɛk.ənd). Tip: Practice saying the word smoothly to reinforce the correct two-syllable structure.