Learn How to Pronounce thief
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How to pronounce:
thief
Definition:
(nou) a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
Phonetic Transcription:
θiːf
Examples:
During the fracas, a thief steals the cart with the barrels.
Stealing a child is an irrevocable action on the part of the thief.
Procrastination is the thief of time.
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Common mistakes of thief pronunciation
- Misplacing the "th" sound: Some learners pronounce "thief" with a "t" sound, saying "tief" instead. This is incorrect as "th" is pronounced as /θ/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Practice placing your tongue between your teeth to create the correct sound.
- Overemphasizing the vowel sound: Many people stress the vowel too much, saying "theef." The correct pronunciation is /θiːf/, where the vowel sound is long but should not be exaggerated. Tip: Focus on a smooth transition from "th" to "eef" without pausing.
- Incorrect stress placement: Some might incorrectly stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as "thi-EEF." However, "thief" is a single-syllable word with primary stress on the "th" sound. Tip: Remember that "thief" has only one syllable, so keep the stress on the start.
- Mixing up with "theif": A common mistake is spelling "thief" as "theif," which can lead to mispronunciation. The correct spelling is "thief," with the "i" before the "e" according to the "i before e except after c" rule. Tip: Always remember the correct spelling to aid in proper pronunciation.
- Confusing with "thief" and "thief": Some learners might pronounce "thief" and "theif" the same way. However, "thief" is the correct term for a person who steals, pronounced /θiːf/. Tip: Use context clues in sentences to help differentiate between similar-sounding words.