Pron John

thorough
/ˈθʌrə/ 🇬🇧
/ˈθɜːrəʊ/ 🇺🇸

thoroughly
/ˈθʌrəli/ 🇬🇧
/ˈθɜːrəli/ 🇺🇸

genuine
/ˈdʒenjuɪn/

series
/ˈsɪəriːz/ 🇬🇧/ 🇺🇸/ 🇮🇪

For many -ATE ending adjectives and a few nouns, we pronounce the final part as /ət/

private
elaborate
intimate
moderate
delicate
accurate
ultimate
passionate
desperate
fortunate
considerate

certificate
climate
chocolate


These are some of the most common ones. Verbs and most other nouns that end in -ATE are stressed:

activate
celebrate
educate
donate
operate

update
debate

Silent Letters

Silent letters are quite common in English and can be found in many words across the language. Here's a list of some of the most common words with silent letters. I'll add an audio recording now.

Same rule for -ANCE ending words. (Usually with multiple syllables)

Performance /pərˈfɔːrməns/
Importance /ɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
Distance /ˈdɪstəns/
Guidance /ˈɡaɪdəns/
Appearance /əˈpɪərəns/
Assistance /əˈsɪstəns/
Acceptance /əkˈseptəns/
Tolerance /ˈtɒlərəns/
Maintenance /ˈmeɪntənəns/
Relevance /ˈreləvəns/

A hesitant participant and a vibrant assistant enacted a constant, elegant pageant, demonstrating relevant, significant talent, orchestrating an extravagant, resonant display in an enchanting, ambient atmosphere.

For words ending in -ANT, do not pronounce that vowel with an A sound. It's the schwa. Imagine the vowel sound disappears so IMPORTANT becomes IMPORTNT, INSTANT becomes INSTNT. Practise this.


important - /ɪmˈpɔːr.tənt/
significant - /sɪɡˈnɪf.ə.kənt/
relevant - /ˈrɛl.ə.vənt/
constant - /ˈkɒn.stənt/
assistant - /əˈsɪs.tənt/
distant - /ˈdɪs.tənt/
participant - /pɑːrˈtɪs.ə.pənt/
abundant - /əˈbʌn.dənt/
instant - /ˈɪn.stənt/
resistant - /rɪˈzɪs.tənt/

What words do you find difficult to pronounce?

In the US🇺🇸, this pronunciation is more common:

EITHER
/ˈiːðər/
(with the long "ee" sound as in "see")
You can have either cake or ice cream.
I don't like dark chocolate either.

NEITHER
/ˈniːðər/
(with the long "ee" sound as in "see")
Neither of us were happy.
Me neither.


While in the UK🇬🇧, this tends to be more common:

EITHER
/ˈaɪðər/
(with the long "I" sound as in "eye")
You can have either cake or ice cream.
I don't like dark chocolate either.

NEITHER
/ˈnaɪðər/
(with the long "I" sound as in "eye")
Neither of us were happy.
Me neither.

However, both pronunciations can be found in both countries, as well as others such as Ireland, Australia, etc. It's often a matter of personal choice.

Personally, I use EITHER with the long "ee" sound, as I find it easier, especially in the phrase 'ME NEITHER', as the repeated "ee" sound works well.

EDINBURGH
/ˈedɪnbrə/

We're going to Edinburgh this weekend.
Have you ever been to Edinburgh?

note:
You can add another schwa there and it becomes - /ˈedɪnbərə/

SCHEDULE
/ˈʃedjuːl/
/ˈskedʒuːl/

Let me check my schedule.
I have a busy schedule today.

English is hard. It can be understood through tough thorough thought though.

(Meaning - It can be understood if you apply strong, complete or detailed thinking, nevertheless.)

In the Animal kingdom, Magical and bright,
National treasures, a Cultural sight,
The Central forest, a Commercial zone,
Local stories, in a Historical tome.

A Criminal fox, with a Dental ache,
Emotional tears, a lesson to take,
Global connections, Natural land,
Neutral places, where we all stand.

A Normal life, Official and true,
Original tales, for me and for you,
Personal journeys, Physical feats,
Practical matters, on Professional streets.

Regional accents, a Social display,
Special moments, a Visual array,
Musical notes, that float through the air,
A world of wonder, for all to share.

-AL at the end of most words.

Animal, Capital, Central, Chemical, Commercial, Cultural, Criminal, Dental, Emotional, Final, Global, Historical, Hospital, Legal, Local, Magical, Medical, Mental, Musical, National, Natural, Neutral, Normal, Official, Original, Personal, Physical, Practical, Professional, Regional, Social, Special, Visual

"Cottage of Childhood Dreams"

In a friendly village, with fun all around,
A cozy cottage, with joy to be found.
With courage and laughter, the kids played each day,
They managed their time, in work and in play.

A voyage to a bridge, just across the street,
Cabbages and spinach, for their meals to eat.
From college they learned, and shared what they knew,
Encouraging friends, to try something new.

In the garage, they'd fix bikes, big and small,
No damage too tough, for them to handle at all.
A bandage on a knee, they'd all share a grin,
Cleaning up garbage, with a toss in the bin.

Their storage held packages, filled with surprise,
Sending messages of love, under blue skies.
No one could hostage, their bond or their cheer,
For they knew the usage of love, far and near.

In the village they'd play, with hearts full and bright,
Creating an image, of pure delight.
Through laughter and learning, they'd grow each day,
In their cherished cottage, where they'd always play.

All of these words end with /ɪdʒ/, starting with Bridge.

Advantage, Average, Bandage, Cabbage, College, Cottage, Courage, Damage, Encourage, Garage, Garbage, Heritage, Hostage, Image, Manage, Message, Passage, Package, Spinach, Storage, Usage, Village, Vintage, Voyage.