Learn How to Pronounce serious

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serious

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈsɪərɪəs

Examples:

An unorthodox radicalism Fisher made a serious effort to economize.

Caley was the first to make a serious effort to study the Eucalyptus.

This is a serious shortcoming.

Learn more about:
serious

Related Words:

difficult

effort

important

How to perfect your pronunciation of: serious

Learn Individual Sounds

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Common mistakes of serious pronunciation

Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "se-RI-ous" [sɪˈrɪəs] instead of the correct first syllable stress. Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable: "SER-ious".
Vowel confusion: Some people pronounce the first syllable as "see" instead of "sir". This leads to "SEE-ious" [ˈsiːriəs], which is incorrect. Tip: Focus on the "sir" sound [sɪr] in "serious".
Schwa sound: The second syllable is often mispronounced as "ree" instead of the softer schwa sound "ri". This can result in "ser-REE-us" [sɪˈriːəs]. Tip: Practice the softer "ri" to achieve the correct pronunciation.
Final syllable mispronunciation: Some learners pronounce the last syllable as "us" [əs], making it sound like "serious" [ˈsɪəriəs]. Tip: Use the correct ending, which sounds like "əs" [əs] for clarity.
Overemphasis on "r": Non-native speakers sometimes overemphasize the "r" sound, leading to "sere-ious" [ˈsɛəriəs]. Tip: Keep the "r" subtle, ensuring it blends smoothly with the surrounding sounds.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "serious" in American English?

In American English, "serious" is pronounced as /ˈsɪr.i.əs/. The primary stress is on the first syllable, "sir," which sounds like "sir" in "sirloin."

What is the British pronunciation of "serious"?

In British English, "serious" is also pronounced as /ˈsɪə.ri.əs/. The difference lies in the vowel sound in the first syllable, which has a more open "ear" sound compared to the American pronunciation.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "serious"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress; some may stress the second syllable instead of the first. Remember, the correct stress is on the first syllable, "sir," to pronounce "serious" correctly.

How many syllables are in the word "serious"?

The word "serious" has three syllables: "sir," "i," and "ous." When spoken, it flows smoothly, with the schwa sound in the second syllable making it sound like "ser-i-us."