Learn How to Pronounce severely

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severely

Phonetic Transcription:

sɪˈvɪəli

Examples:

That is the level of severely handicapped.

The defector was punished severely.

The target was severely irradiated.

Learn more about:
severely

Related Words:

tightly

seriously

How to perfect your pronunciation of: severely

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Break severely down into individual sounds such as sɪˈvɪəli. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Common mistakes of severely pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Some learners may incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "se-VER-ely" instead of the correct "SE-verely" (ˈsəˌvɪr li). Tip: Focus on the first syllable for proper emphasis.
Omitting the middle vowel: It's common to hear "sevrly" without the "e" sound in the second syllable. This leads to mispronunciation as "səvrli". Tip: Ensure you pronounce the "e" in "severely" clearly to maintain its integrity.
Confusing vowel sounds: Some may pronounce "severely" with a short "i" sound, saying "sə-VIR-ly" instead of the correct "SE-verely". Tip: Practice the "e" sound in the first syllable to avoid this confusion.
Adding an extra syllable: A mistake occurs when learners say "se-ver-ely," creating an unnecessary third syllable. This results in "səˈvɜr ə li". Tip: Remember that "severely" has only three syllables, not four.
Mispronouncing the ending: Some might pronounce the "ly" as "lee" instead of the correct "li" (ˈli). This can lead to saying "severely" incorrectly as "səˈvɪr-lee". Tip: Keep the ending soft and short, focusing on "li".

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "severely" in American English?

In American English, "severely" is pronounced as /səˈvɪrli/. The primary stress is on the second syllable, which sounds like "veer."

Are there any differences in the pronunciation of "severely" between American and British English?

The pronunciation of "severely" is quite similar in both American and British English, pronounced as /səˈvɪəli/ in British English. The main difference is in the vowel sound of the last syllable, where British English uses a more distinct "lee."

How many syllables are in the word "severely"?

The word "severely" has three syllables: "se-ver-ely." Each syllable is pronounced clearly, with the stress on the second syllable.

What is a common mistake when pronouncing "severely"?

A common mistake is not stressing the correct syllable; many learners might incorrectly emphasize the first syllable. Remember to stress the second syllable, "veer," for accurate pronunciation.