Learn How to Pronounce told

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told

Definition:

(nou) a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successful

Phonetic Transcription:

tel

Learn more about:
told

Related Words:

talk

report

say

How to perfect your pronunciation of: told

Learn Individual Sounds

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Common mistakes of told pronunciation

Misplacing vowel sounds: Some learners pronounce "told" with an incorrect vowel sound, like "tald." This can happen due to confusion with similar words. Tip: Focus on the "oʊ" sound, as in "go."
Incorrect stress placement: Stressing the wrong syllable can make "told" sound unclear. The primary stress is on the single syllable: /toʊld/. Tip: Practice saying "told" with emphasis on the entire word.
Overemphasizing the "t": Some may pronounce "told" with an exaggerated "t" sound, making it sound like "told" with a pause. This can confuse listeners. Tip: Keep the "t" soft and connected to the vowel sound.
Dropping the final sound: A common mistake is omitting the "d" at the end, saying "tol." This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Ensure you pronounce the final "d" clearly, as in /toʊld/.
Mixing up similar words: Learners might confuse "told" with "toll" or "told." This can lead to incorrect usage in sentences. Tip: Pay attention to context and practice distinguishing between these words.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "told" in American English?

In American English, "told" is pronounced as /toʊld/, with a single syllable. The vowel sound is a long "o," and the "l" is pronounced clearly.

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

In British English, "told" is also pronounced as /təʊld/, which features a slightly different vowel sound. The difference lies mainly in the quality of the vowel, but both pronunciations are similar.

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

The word "told" has primary stress on the only syllable, making it /toʊld/ or /təʊld/. Since it's a one-syllable word, the stress is straightforward and does not vary.

Are there common mistakes when pronouncing "told"?

A common mistake is pronouncing "told" with a schwa sound, which can lead to confusion with similar words like "toll." It's important to maintain the clear "o" sound to ensure accurate communication.