Learn How to Pronounce sew

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sew

Phonetic Transcription:

səʊ

Examples:

Her job is to baste shirt waists and sew buttonholes.

Learn more about:
sew

Related Words:

knit

join

thread

How to perfect your pronunciation of: sew

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

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Common mistakes of sew pronunciation

Mispronouncing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "sew" with a short vowel sound, like "sɛw". The correct pronunciation is /soʊ/ in US English and /səʊ/ in UK English. Tip: Practice saying "sew" with a long "o" sound.
Confusing with "so": Many confuse "sew" with "so", leading to incorrect pronunciation. While "sew" is pronounced /soʊ/ (US) or /səʊ/ (UK), "so" has the same pronunciation but different meanings. Tip: Use context to differentiate between the two words.
Incorrect stress placement: Some learners incorrectly stress the first syllable, saying "SEW" instead of the correct pronunciation, which has no syllable stress. The word is monosyllabic and should sound smooth. Tip: Focus on the single, even sound when pronouncing "sew".
Adding an extra vowel sound: Some people add an unnecessary vowel sound, pronouncing it as "se-ow". The correct pronunciation is a single syllable: /soʊ/ (US) or /səʊ/ (UK). Tip: Keep it simple; say "sew" in one fluid motion.
Overemphasizing the "s": Learners may overemphasize the "s" sound, making it sound harsh. The correct pronunciation is softer: /soʊ/ (US) or /səʊ/ (UK). Tip: Relax your tongue and lips to produce a smoother "s" sound in "sew".

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "sew" in American English?

In American English, "sew" is pronounced as /soʊ/ with a single syllable. The vowel sound is similar to that in "go" and has a long "o" sound.

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "sew" between British and American English?

In British English, "sew" is also pronounced as /səʊ/, which has a slightly different vowel sound compared to the American pronunciation. The British version features a diphthong that starts with a more open "o" sound.

What is the stress pattern for the word "sew"?

The word "sew" has no stress pattern as it is a single-syllable word. Therefore, it is pronounced evenly without any emphasis on a particular syllable.

Are there any common mistakes people make when pronouncing "sew"?

One common mistake is confusing "sew" with the homophone "so," which has the same pronunciation /soʊ/ in both American and British English. Learners might also mispronounce it by adding an extra vowel sound, making it sound like "sow."