Learn How to Pronounce total

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total

Definition:

(nou) the whole amount (nou) a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈtəʊtəl

Examples:

By the way, the whole wavelet thing here is a total mess.

There are in total 124 names praising the Sun in the whole procedure.

This leads to a lower cost for the total abatement effort as a whole.

Learn more about:
total

Related Words:

whole

full

How to perfect your pronunciation of: total

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

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Common mistakes of total pronunciation

Incorrect vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "total" with a short "o" sound, like in "hot" /hɑt/. The correct pronunciation is with a long "o" sound /ˈtoʊ.təl/ (US) or /ˈtəʊ.təl/ (UK). Tip: Focus on elongating the "o" to sound more accurate.
Misplaced stress: A common mistake is stressing the second syllable, saying "to-TAL" instead of "TO-tal". The primary stress is on the first syllable /ˈtoʊ.təl/ (US) or /ˈtəʊ.təl/ (UK). Tip: Practice saying "total" with emphasis on "TO" to correct this.
Dropping the "t": Some speakers may drop the "t" sound, making it sound like "oal". The "t" should be clearly pronounced /ˈtoʊ.təl/ (US) or /ˈtəʊ.təl/ (UK). Tip: Pay attention to the "t" sound by practicing with words that start with "t".
Overemphasizing the "a": Learners might pronounce "total" with an exaggerated "a" sound, leading to "to-tall". The "a" should be a schwa /ə/, sounding softer. Tip: Practice saying "total" quickly to ensure the "a" remains subtle and natural.
Confusing with "tote": Some may confuse "total" with "tote", pronouncing it as /toʊt/. Remember that "total" has two syllables /ˈtoʊ.təl/ (US) or /ˈtəʊ.təl/ (UK). Tip: Break down the syllables to distinguish between the two words effectively.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "total" in American English?

In American English, "total" is pronounced as /ˈtoʊtəl/. The first syllable has primary stress, while the second syllable is a schwa sound, making it sound like "TOH-tuhl."

What is the British pronunciation of "total"?

In British English, "total" is pronounced as /ˈtəʊtəl/. Similar to American English, the first syllable is stressed, but it features a different vowel sound in the first syllable, sounding like "TOH-tuhl."

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "total"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "to-TAL" instead of "TO-tal." It's important to emphasize the first syllable to pronounce "total" correctly.

How many syllables are in the word "total"?

The word "total" has two syllables: "to" and "tal." The correct division is important for clear pronunciation, ensuring that it sounds like "TO-tuhl."