Learn How to Pronounce whatever

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whatever

Phonetic Transcription:

wɒtˈevə

Examples:

I was validating, commiserating, whatever.

It is a satire, windup, spoof, whatever.

It is judgemental, whatever pretensions to the contrary.

Learn more about:
whatever

Related Words:

maybe

probably

How to perfect your pronunciation of: whatever

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Common mistakes of whatever pronunciation

Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "what-ˈever". The correct stress in both US and UK English is on the first syllable: "ˈwhat-ə-vər". Tip: Practice saying "what" loudly to emphasize the correct stress.
Vowel sounds: Some may pronounce the second syllable as "e" instead of "ə", leading to "what-ˈee-vər". The correct pronunciation uses a schwa sound "ə". Tip: Focus on relaxing your mouth when saying "ə" to make it sound natural.
Final consonant clarity: A common mistake is to drop the final "r" sound, resulting in "what-ˈev-uh". In both US and UK English, the "r" should be pronounced clearly: "ˈwhat-ə-vər". Tip: Practice ending with a firm "r" to improve clarity.
Linking sounds: Some learners may pause between syllables, saying "what-ev-er". In fluent speech, the sounds should connect smoothly: "ˈwhat-ə-vər". Tip: Try saying the word quickly in a sentence to practice linking.
Overemphasis on "h": A few might overemphasize the "h" sound, pronouncing it too strongly as "hwhat-ə-vər". The "h" should be soft and not overly stressed. Tip: Keep the "h" light and focus on the "what" to maintain natural flow.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "whatever" in American English?

In American English, "whatever" is pronounced as /wəˈtɛvər/. The stress is on the second syllable, "tev," which makes it sound more emphatic.

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

Yes, in British English, "whatever" is pronounced as /wɒˈtɛvə/. The key difference is in the first vowel sound, where British English uses a short "o" sound, while American English uses a schwa sound.

What syllable in "whatever" is stressed?

The stress in "whatever" is placed on the second syllable, "tev." It is important to emphasize this syllable to pronounce the word correctly.

Are there any common mistakes people make when saying "whatever"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying /ˈwɒtɛvər/ instead of /wəˈtɛvər/. This can make it harder for listeners to understand the word in conversation.