Mastering the American Accent » Especially Difficult Words

Especially Difficult Words

The following words are frequently mispronounced by non-native speakers either because a similar sounding word exists in other languages, or because the spelling is unusual. Other times the combination of sounds simply makes the words difficult to say—even for native speakers!

Difficult WordCorrect PronunciationIncorrect PronunciationExample
1. aluminumfour syllablesIn many languages, and in British English, this word has five syllables and is spelled aluminiumI will wrap my leftover food in aluminum foil.
2. caffeinetwo syllables /kæf-in/three syllables /kæf-ɛ-in/I had too much caffeine and couldn’t fall asleep.
3. chaos/keɪ - ɑs/“house”The apartment was in complete chaos after the burglary.
4. choirsounds like: “k+wire”“core”The children’s choir sang at the church.
5. cooperatefour syllables oo= two separate sounds that sound like “kou – ap”three syllablesChildren, please cooperate with your teacher.
6. cucumberfirst u sounds like youfirst u sounds like /u/I made a tomato and cucumber salad.
7. entrepreneurfourth syllable stress first e sounds like /ɘ/first e sounds like /ɛ/That business was bought by a foreign entrepreneur.
8. Europefirst syllable stress, o is reduced /ɘ/ soundsecond syllable stressMany languages are spoken in Europe.
9. foreignerfirst syllable stress eign sounds like en ig are silent letterssecond syllable stressI don’t want to speak English like a foreigner.
10. hierarchyfirst syllable stress heir sounds like “hire”second syllable stressHonesty is the first of my heirarchy of values.
11. hygienetwo syllables: sounds like “hi + jean”three syllablesIn the medical environment hygiene is very important.
12. jewelryl and r together “jewel+ ree”vowel separating l and r “joo – le – ry”I bought a gold necklace at the jewelry store.
13. lengthpronounce gsilent gWhat is the length of that swimming pool?
14. museumsay: m + you + zee + /ɘm/ stress second syllable“moo” +”zei“ + “oom”Let’s see the new art exhibit at the museum.
15. off sounds like v, o is reduced /ɘ/ sound“off”What is it made of?
16. parenthesessecond syllable stressthird syllable stressPlease write the information in parentheses.
17. pizzasounds like “peet+sa”“pee+za”We were hungry so we ordered a large pizza.
18. proteintwo syllables “pro + teen”three syllables “pro-te-een”Meat and eggs contain a lot of protein.
19. recipethree syllables; final e sounds like “ee”two syllables silent eCan you give me the recipe for this delicious cheesecake?
20. schedulesch sounds like “sk”, du sounds like “ju”sch = “sh”I don’t like my new work schedule.
21. schizophreniasch sounds like “sk”sch = “sh”The psychiatrist was working with patients who have schizophrenia.
22. sciencetwo syllables sci + /y/tenceone syllable “signs”I got a good grade in my science class.
23. strengthpronounce “g”silent “g”I don’t have enough strength to carry that.
24. thermometersecond syllable stressthird syllable stressI will check my fever with a thermometer.

Practice Sentences

  1. I placed the frozen pizza on the aluminum foil.
  2. I found a recipe for a cucumber salad.
  3. Too much caffeine makes me feel schizophrenic.
  4. We can cooperate and create a hierarchy.
  5. That foreigner is an entrepreneur from Europe.
  6. The schedule of the choir rehearsal is in parentheses.
  7. They need better hygiene and less chaos.
  8. The thermometer is used in the science class.

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