English pronunciation can be tricky due to its irregular spelling system. Here are key phonetic rules to help you master it:
1. Vowel Sounds
- Short vowels: cat /kæt/, dog /dɒɡ/
- Long vowels: cake /keɪk/, goose /ɡuːz/
- Silent vowels: knife /naɪf/ (silent 'k'), Wednesday /ˈwenzdeɪ/ (silent 's')
💡 Need more examples? Check out our phonetic examples page for interactive practice.
2. Consonant Rules
- Soft 'c': city /ˈsɪti/ (like 's')
- Hard 'g': gift /ɡɪft/ (like 'j' in some cases)
- Tricky 'th': think /θɪŋk/ vs. thank /θæŋk/
3. Special Cases
- "kn": know /noʊ/, knot /nɒt/
- "gn": gnaw /noʊ/, gnash /næʃ/
- "sch": schnapps /ˈʃnæps/ (German influence)
4. IPA Symbols
Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for precise pronunciation guides.
For deeper learning, explore our phonetic resources section for downloadable charts and exercises. 🌟