Tag: grammar
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New Words: the Long O Sound
The Long O sound simply expresses the name of the letter O. However, there are many variations across languages as to the precision and intensity of this sound. For example, you might hold your lips in a fixed, tight O position and pronounce the sound quickly. Americans do the opposite of this. We hold our…
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Prefixes 6: New Words and Pronunciation
The Prefix Dis Prefix Meaning dis not, opposite of Pronunciation tips: Pronounce dis with a short I sound, as in “is.” Try not to use an ee sound. One way to avoid that is to make the short I with a lower pitch. Also, make it more similar to u in up than to ee in…
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Prefixes 5: New Vocabulary and Pronunciation
The Prefix DE Prefix Meaning de from, down, away, against, separate, to do the opposite Pronunciation tips: This prefix is pronounced in two ways: dee or du (u as in up).The dee pronunciation is the original, formal pronunciation. This is frequently reduced to du for a lighter, casual sound.Using the pronunciation du may help with syllable stress.This prefix is usually not stressed.* Exception in DEDICATE, the…
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New Words: OI, OU, OW Sounds
These are the major diphthongs of American English: oi and ou/ow. A diphthong is a technical word meaning that two vowels slide together such that there is only one syllable. Pronounce oi by saying a long O as in no followed by a long E as in see. Pronounce ou/ow by saying a short A…
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Prefixes 4: New Words and Pronunciation
The Prefixes EM/EN Prefix Meaning em, en to cause to Pronunciation tips: EN and EM are pronounced with a short E sound, the E sound in met. These prefixes are usually not stressed with verbs. They are often stressed with nouns. Interesting Pronunciations Enlighten – use the stopped T and strong N or glottal stop as in the words “written” or “gotten”…
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New Words: Schwa Sound Practice
Create the schwa sound by holding your mouth in a neutral position and just saying u as in up. This sound is made in the middle of the mouth. It is the upside-down e in the IPA, not the upside-down v (made in the back of the mouth). Just concentrate on creating a simple, bright…
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Prefixes 3: New Vocabulary and Pronunciation
The Prefix BE Pronunciation tips: BE is pronounced with a long E as in the insect, the bee. However, when people speak quickly, they often reduce this long E to a schwa sound, the neutral sound u in up. Review the schwa sound diagram below. Both pronunciations of BE are okay.This prefix is usually not stressed. Prefix…
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Prefixes 2: Vocabulary and Pronunciation
More Prefixes with A Prefix Meaning a, ac, ad, af, al, an, ap, as, at to, toward, near, in addition to, by These words use prefixes an- to at-. Pronunciation tips: In these prefixes, A is usually pronounced with the schwa sound, the sound of U in up. These prefixes are usually not stressed.Note: Say A as in cat in apprehensive and ascertain. Answer the questions to practice using the…
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Present Perfect Progressive
* Refer a friend and get two extra classes, one for you and one for your friend. Help your friend get started by scheduling a consultation. For the present perfect progressive, use have or has + been + -ing verb. Examples: I have been studying English for 3 years. He has been learning to drive…
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