Learn How to Pronounce shadow
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How to pronounce:
shadow
Definition:
(nou) shade within clear boundaries (nou) an unilluminated area (nou) something existing in perception only (nou) a premonition of something adverse (nou) an indication that something has been present (nou) refuge from danger or observation (nou) a dominating and pervasive presence (nou) a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements (nou) an inseparable companion
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈʃædəʊ
Examples:
The shadow of the gnomon was measured.
He saw someone's shadow.
The shadow crept closer to the closet.
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Common mistakes of shadow pronunciation
- Misplacing the stress: Some learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "sha-DOW". The correct pronunciation is "SHA-dow" with primary stress on the first syllable, /ˈʃæd.oʊ/ in US English and /ˈʃæd.əʊ/ in UK English. Tip: Always emphasize the first syllable when saying "shadow".
- Incorrect vowel sound: A common mistake is pronouncing the "a" in "shadow" as a long vowel, like "shay-doh". The correct sound is a short "a" as in /æ/. Tip: Practice saying "cat" and "bat" to get used to the short "a" sound.
- Overemphasizing the "d": Some may pronounce "shadow" with an exaggerated "d" sound, making it sound like "shad-dow". The correct pronunciation has a smooth transition, /ˈʃæd.oʊ/ or /ˈʃæd.əʊ/. Tip: Focus on blending the sounds together for a more natural pronunciation.
- Omitting the second syllable: A frequent error is saying "shad", dropping the second syllable entirely. "Shadow" has two syllables, pronounced as /ˈʃæd.oʊ/ (US) or /ˈʃæd.əʊ/ (UK). Tip: Practice saying "hello" and "tomato" to reinforce the two-syllable structure.
- Confusing with similar words: Some learners mix up "shadow" with "shallow" or "shadowy". Each has distinct sounds and meanings. "Shadow" is /ˈʃæd.oʊ/ or /ˈʃæd.əʊ/, while "shallow" has a different vowel sound. Tip: Pay attention to the vowel sounds to differentiate these words.