50 most commonly mispronounced words
by IDP IELTS — May 10th, 2017
You know the word but stop yourself from saying it out loud for fear of pronouncing it wrongly. This predicament is relatable as we all have mishaps over the complexities of the English language now and then.
There is nothing to be embarrassed by, as language is forever evolving and mispronounced. Misspelled words often find their way into our world, making it increasingly tough to know what is right and wrong. Let’s admit it, speaking can be deceiving, especially if it’s in a language that is not your mother tongue. That got us thinking and we decided to start our own “pronunciation” series and list the 50 most commonly mispronounced words. The list provides a good start to help you articulate and enunciate words correctly.
Register here for more IELTS support tools
Have you booked your IELTS test? Book now
- Abalone
- Incorrect: ah-boh-lohn
- Correct: ab-uh-loh-nee
- Albeit
- Incorrect: al-bae-it
- Correct: awl-bee-it
- Almond
- Incorrect: al-muh-nd
- Correct: ah-muh-nd
- Attaché
- Incorrect: ah-tat-chee
- Correct: uh-tash-ey
- Boutique
- Incorrect: boh-teek
- Correct: boo-teek
- Cache
- Incorrect: kash-ay
- Correct: kash
- Chaos
- Incorrect: Cha-os
- Correct: Key-os
- Coup
- Incorrect: koo-p
- Correct: koo
- Coupon
- Incorrect: que-pun
- Correct: koo-pon
- Debris
- Incorrect: day-brees
- Correct: deb-ree
- Debut
- Incorrect: di-boo
- Correct: dey-byoo
- Divorce
- Incorrect: die-vawrs
- Correct: dih-vawrs
- Epitome
- Incorrect: ih-pi-toe-m
- Correct: ih-pit-uh-mee
- Espresso
- Incorrect: e-xpres-oh
- Correct: e-spres-oh
- Et cetera
- Incorrect: ex-set-er-uh
- Correct: et-set-er-uh
- Faux pas
- Incorrect: fohx-pas
- Correct: foh-pah
- Film
- Incorrect: fill-um
- Correct: film
- Flour
- Incorrect: fl-ahr
- Correct: flou-er
- Gauge
- Incorrect: gauj
- Correct: geyj
- Genre
- Incorrect: jen-re
- Correct: zhahn-ruh
- Heinous
- Incorrect: heen-ni-us
- Correct: hey-nuh-s
- Hierarchy
- Incorrect: hahy-archy
- Correct: hahy-uh-rahr-kee
- Hyperbole
- Incorrect: hahy-pur-bowl
- Correct: hahy-pur-buh-lee
- Ingenuity
- Incorrect: in-jen-wee-tee
- Correct: in-juh-noo-i-tee
- Itinerary
- Incorrect: ahy-tin-ary
- Correct: ahy-tin-uh-rer-ee
- Jewellery
- Incorrect: joo-el-er-y
- Correct: joo-uh l-ree
- Library
- Incorrect: libe-ry
- Correct: lahy-brer ee
- Lingerie
- Incorrect: linger-ee
- Correct: lahn-zhuh-rey
- Lip-sync
- Incorrect: lip-sing
- Correct: lip-singk
- Maniac
- Incorrect: mahn-yuhk
- Correct: mey-nee-ak
- Mischievous
- Incorrect: mis-chee-vious
- Correct: mis-chuh-vuh-s
- Niche
- Incorrect: nee-shay
- Correct: nee-sh
- Often
- Incorrect: off-ten
- Correct: aw-fuh n
- Paradigm
- Incorrect: par-uh-dig-m
- Correct: par-uh-dahym
- Pronunciation
- Incorrect: pruh-noun-see-ey-shuh n
- Correct: pruh-nuhn-see-ey-shuh n
- Pseudonym
- Incorrect: syoo-duh-nim
- Correct: sood-n-im
- Quote
- Incorrect: coat
- Correct: kwoht
- Regime
- Incorrect: ruh-geem
- Correct: ruh-zheem
- Rendezvous
- Incorrect: ren-dez-vuss
- Correct: rahn-duh-voo
- Reservoir
- Incorrect: rez-er-vore
- Correct: rez-er-vwahr
- Salmon
- Incorrect: sal-muhn
- Correct: sam-uh n
- Salon
- Incorrect: suh-loon
- Correct: suh-lon
- Silicon
- Incorrect: sil-i-kohn
- Correct: sil-i-kuh n
- Sour
- Incorrect: saa-r
- Correct: souuh-r
- Subtle
- Incorrect: subt-l
- Correct: suht-l
- Suite
- Incorrect: soot
- Correct: sweet
- Tuition
- Incorrect: too-shen
- Correct: too-ish-uh n
- Turquoise
- Incorrect: tur-quiz
- Correct: tur-kwoiz
- Yolk
- Incorrect: yol-ke
- Correct: yohk
Reference: Dictionary.com
Hello there, welcome to IELTS Australia!
If you’re preparing for your test, IELTS Support Tools can help. With more than 20 pages of IELTS tips and tricks from examiners to help you prepare.
5 Things You Can Do With Your IELTS Results
You sat the test. You’ve received your official IELTS Test Report Form. You can be proud! That’s a massive achievement. But, what can you do with your IELTS scores? Read our list of 5 things you can do with your IELTS results here.
List of Minimum IELTS Scores For Canadian Universities in 2021
Moving to Canada in 2021 for study? Check the IELTS requirements for Canadian Universities. IELTS is the only English language test available in Australia that is trusted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Read more here.
Expert IELTS advice from IDP IELTS Coaches
Boost your Speaking band score with IELTS Speaking Coaching. Practice your speaking skills with one-on-one coaching with an official IELTS expert. Or complete practice writing tasks online and receive a personalised feedback report from an IELTS Coach with detailed feedback on your task
