Learn How to Pronounce unlawful

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unlawful

Phonetic Transcription:

ʌnˈlɔːfəl

Examples:

The decision was unlawful.

It was unlawful to despoil their belongings.

The verdict was unlawful killing.

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unlawful

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: unlawful

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

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Common mistakes of unlawful pronunciation

  1. Stress on the wrong syllable: Some learners place stress on the second syllable, pronouncing it as /ʌnˈlɔːfəl/. The correct stress is on the first syllable: /ˈʌnˌlɔːfəl/. Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable when saying "unlawful".
  2. Mispronouncing the vowel sound: A common mistake is mispronouncing the "u" in "unlawful." Some say it like /juː/, leading to "yunlawful." The correct sound is /ʌ/. Tip: Practice the short "u" sound to improve clarity.
  3. Incorrect vowel length: Some speakers may elongate the "o" in "lawful," producing /ˈʌnːlɔːfəl/. The correct pronunciation has a shorter vowel: /ˈʌnˌlɔːfəl/. Tip: Focus on keeping the vowel sound quick and crisp.
  4. Overemphasizing the "l" sound: Learners sometimes stress the "l" in "lawful," making it sound like /ˈʌnˌlɔːfəl/. The "l" should be pronounced more lightly. Tip: Reduce the emphasis on the "l" to achieve a smoother flow.
  5. Dropping the final "l": Some may pronounce "unlawful" as /ˈʌnˌwɔːfəl/, omitting the final "l." This changes the word's meaning. Tip: Always ensure to articulate the final "l" clearly to retain the correct meaning.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "unlawful" in American English?

In American English, "unlawful" is pronounced as /ʌnˈlɔːfəl/. The primary stress is on the second syllable, "law," which sounds like "law" in "lawyer."

What is the British pronunciation of "unlawful"?

In British English, "unlawful" is pronounced as /ʌnˈlɔːfəl/, similar to the American version. The stress remains on the second syllable, making it easy to recognize across both dialects.

How many syllables are in the word "unlawful"?

The word "unlawful" has three syllables: "un," "law," and "ful." You can break it down as /ʌn/ - /lɔː/ - /fəl/ to help with pronunciation.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "unlawful"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "un-LAW-ful" instead of "un-LAW-ful." Remember to emphasize the second syllable to pronounce it correctly.
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