Learn How to Pronounce terrible

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terrible

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈterəbəl

Examples:

At the moment the article is terrible.

But the morning of the wedding was terrible.

But the taste of the tea was terrible.

Learn more about:
terrible

Related Words:

fear

feeling

afraid

How to perfect your pronunciation of: terrible

Learn Individual Sounds

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Common mistakes of terrible pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Some learners stress the second syllable, saying "te-ˈrrible". This is incorrect; the primary stress is on the first syllable: "ˈtɛr.ɪ.bəl". Tip: Practice saying "terrible" with emphasis on "ter".
Overemphasizing vowels: A common mistake is to overpronounce the "e" in "terrible", making it sound like "teh-rib-uhl". The correct pronunciation uses a schwa sound: "ˈtɛr.ɪ.bəl". Tip: Focus on a quick, soft "i" sound.
Skipping syllables: Some speakers may drop the middle syllable, saying "ˈter.bəl". This leads to an incomplete pronunciation. The full form includes three syllables: "ˈtɛr.ɪ.bəl". Tip: Break the word into parts to practice each syllable.
Incorrect vowel sounds: Mispronouncing the "e" as "ay" leads to "tair-ible". The correct sound is a short "e": "ˈtɛr.ɪ.bəl". Tip: Listen to native speakers to hear the difference in vowel sounds.
Regional variations: In some accents, "terrible" may be pronounced with a stronger "r", leading to "ˈtɛr.ɹɪ.bəl". While this is acceptable, the standard forms are "ˈtɛr.ɪ.bəl" (US) and "ˈtɛr.ɪ.bəl" (UK). Tip: Be aware of regional accents but aim for the standard pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "terrible" in American English?

In American English, "terrible" is pronounced as /ˈtɛr.ə.bəl/. The stress is on the first syllable, "ter," which sounds like "tare," followed by the schwa sound in the second syllable.

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

Yes, in British English, "terrible" is pronounced as /ˈtɛr.ɪ.bəl/. The main difference is the vowel sound in the second syllable, where it uses a short "i" sound instead of the schwa.

What is the syllable breakdown for the word "terrible"?

"Terrible" has three syllables: "ter," "ri," and "ble." The first syllable is stressed, making it sound more prominent than the others.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "terrible"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress or pronouncing it with four syllables, like "ter-ri-ble." Remember to keep it to three syllables with the stress on the first syllable for clarity.