Common English Pronunciation Mistakes: Explained

English pronunciation is hard. Words don't sound like they look. Small mistakes can change meaning. But you can fix the most common problems.

The 5 Biggest Mistakes

1. TH Sounds

Put your tongue between your teeth: think, this, that.

Common mistake: Saying t or d instead.
Fix: Practice slowly. Watch your tongue in a mirror.

2. Dropping Final Consonants

English words end with consonants: asked (not "ask"), walked (not "walk").

Common mistake: Not saying the final sound.
Fix: Say endings clearly when you practice. "I walk-ED home."

3. Vowel Length

Short vs. long vowels change meaning:

ship (short) vs. sheep (long)
bit (short) vs. beat (long)

Fix: Make the difference big when you practice. Listen to native speakers.

4. Silent Letters

Many letters are silent:

knife, know (silent k)
Wednesday (silent d)
psychology (silent p)

Fix: Learn common patterns. No shortcuts—just memorize these words.

5. Word Stress

Stress changes meaning:

REcord (noun: a music record)
reCORD (verb: to record something)

Fix: Check stress in a dictionary. Practice with the stressed syllable louder.

Practice Tips

Record yourself: Say a sentence. Listen. Compare to a native speaker.
Use a mirror: Watch your mouth make TH sounds.
Practice pairs: ship/sheep, bit/beat — say them together.
Copy native speakers: Play a sentence. Pause. Repeat exactly.
Focus on endings: Make final sounds very clear at first.

Want to learn words naturally? The FreeTalk Dictionary shows simple definitions while you read online.

Examples by Level

A2: I think it's better on Thursday. (TH sounds)
A2: She walked to the store and asked for help. (final consonants)
B1: The ship sailed, and the sheep grazed. (vowel length)
B2: We need to record the record for the meeting. (word stress)

FAQs

Q: Should I learn American or British pronunciation?
A: Pick one and be consistent. Both are correct. Clear speaking matters more than perfect accent.

Q: How long does it take to improve?
A: With 15 minutes daily practice, you'll notice improvement in 2-3 months. TH sounds may take longer.

Q: Is my accent a problem?
A: No! Accents are natural. Focus on being clear, not perfect. Native speakers have accents too.