Through my years working as a professional speech coach, I’ve seen all the ways you can pronounce words wrong. So, I thought I’d share three common mispronunciations today, helping you avoid another person correcting you or someone misunderstanding what you’re trying to say!
First up…
- Hierarchy – Pronounced: /hahy-uh-rahr-kee/
The common mistake? We say “hi-archy.”
While both versions have two syllables, only one is actually correct. It’s often the “er” sound that is missing. Thus, next time you go to say this word, try emphasizing that “er” sound a bit more!
- Liable – Pronounced: lahy-uh-buh l/
Yet, many people say “Libel,” which is unfortunately incorrect!
In fact, saying “libel” means a totally different thing, which means you want to be careful when pronouncing this one.
- Nuclear /noo-klee-er/
Often pronounced, “nucular,” this actually isn’t the right way to say this in English. However, you might get a pass with this one… Depending where you live, different dialects accept different pronunciations of this word.
Do you get any of these wrongs? Which ones?
Accent Coach 