Learn How to Pronounce why
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How to pronounce:
why
Definition:
(nou) the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'
Phonetic Transcription:
waɪ
Examples:
There must be a reason why they are unanimated.
It is one of the reason why the Hwandangogi is in suspicion.
She was the reason why flowers began to wilt.
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Common mistakes of why pronunciation
- Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "why" with a long "e" sound, saying /wiː/. This is incorrect. Tip: Remember that "why" starts with the diphthong /waɪ/, not /wiː/.
- Ignoring the "w" sound: A common error is omitting the "w" in "why", leading to a pronunciation like /haɪ/. Tip: Focus on articulating the "w" sound clearly before the vowel to pronounce /waɪ/ correctly.
- Incorrect stress placement: Some learners may place stress incorrectly, saying /ˈwʌɪ/ instead of /waɪ/. Tip: The correct pronunciation has no secondary stress, so keep it simple as /waɪ/.
- Adding an extra syllable: A mistake is pronouncing "why" as a two-syllable word, like /wəɪ/. Tip: "Why" is a single syllable, pronounced /waɪ/, so avoid adding unnecessary sounds.
- Confusing with "why" and "wi": Some might confuse "why" with "wi", pronouncing it as /wi/. Tip: Pay attention to the context and remember that "why" is distinct with the initial /w/ sound and ends with /aɪ/.