Learn How to Pronounce work

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work

Definition:

(nou) activity directed toward making or doing something (nou) a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing (nou) the occupation for which you are paid (nou) applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading) (nou) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force (nou) a place where work is done (nou) the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)

Phonetic Transcription:

wɜːk

Examples:

The construction work was tendered out as a turnkey contract.

The company is known for its unremunerative work.

The people did not work with the company anymore.

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work

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: work

Learn Individual Sounds

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

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Common mistakes of work pronunciation

  1. Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "work" as /wɜːk/ (UK) or /wɝk/ (US) but may confuse it with "walk" /wɔːk/ (UK) or /wɔk/ (US). Tip: Focus on the "o" sound, which should be pronounced more like "er" in "her."
  2. Ignoring the "r" sound: A common mistake is omitting the "r" in "work," leading to a pronunciation like /wɜːk/ or /wɔːk/. Tip: Make sure to articulate the "r" clearly, as it is essential to the correct pronunciation.
  3. Overemphasizing the consonant: Some learners stress the "w" too heavily, resulting in a sound like /wʌrk/. Tip: Keep the "w" soft and ensure the primary stress is on the vowel sound instead.
  4. Incorrect syllable stress: Individuals may mistakenly stress the second syllable, saying "work" as if it has two syllables. Tip: Remember that "work" is a single-syllable word, and the stress falls on the "w" sound.
  5. Confusing with similar words: Learners might confuse "work" with "world" /wɜːrld/ (UK) or /wɝrld/ (US). Tip: Pay attention to the ending sounds; "work" ends with a hard "k," while "world" has a "ld" ending.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "work" in American English?

In American English, "work" is pronounced as /wɜrk/ with the primary stress on the vowel sound. The "w" is pronounced as a voiced labio-velar approximant, and the "o" is pronounced as a mid-central vowel, similar to the "er" in "her."

What is the British English pronunciation of "work"?

In British English, "work" is pronounced as /wɜːk/, with a longer vowel sound. The primary stress remains on the vowel, and the "r" is typically not pronounced unless followed by a vowel.

Does "work" have any silent letters?

No, there are no silent letters in "work." Every letter in the word is pronounced, making it straightforward for learners to articulate correctly.

How many syllables are in the word "work"?

The word "work" has one syllable. This makes it easy to say and recognize in spoken English, especially for language learners.
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