We may not say this sound often but when we do, it is commonly mispronounced. If your goal is to speak English 100% better so that you can sound natural (and with confidence!) learn how to say this awkward sound with preciSIon. Hint: it’s in that word….
There comes a time when we all need to pronounce a fraction or two in our lives! We speak of fractions when we are measuring for new kitchen blinds, cooking, ordering a picture frame and even when we are telling time.
Fractions requires multiple higher level pronunciation skills. Who knew, right? For some people, pronouncing consonant sounds at the ends of words is much different than what they are used to.
1. With fractions, we pronounce multiple consonant sounds at the ends of the fraction. We add the plural /s/ for plural numbers (those are numbers when the top number is greater than one) For example 2/17 is “two seventeenths” /n/ + “th” + /s/. WHEW!
2. Then, there is the article “a” that is used in place of the number one- for singular fractions beginning with a consonant sound. (hint: almost all of them) For example: 1/2, 1/3, 1/4. “a half, a third, a fourth”
3. And pronouncing the singular article “an” for the number one that is used for singular fractions beginning with a vowel sound. (hint: the number EIGHT). For example: 1/8, 1/18, 1/80 “an eighth”, “an eighteenth” and “an eightieth”
Listen to Pam’s informational podcast and if you would like the complete transcript and a handy guide for pronouncing and spelling fractions Email Pam HERE – and please write “FRACTIONS” in the subject line.
Comments or Questions? You can find the comment section right under the title of this blog. I’d love to hear from you!
Learning how to pronounce sounds and use the American English melody takes time and patience! Here are some videos to help you understand commonly difficult words and concepts. Check out our YouTube channel! Our latest video is about pronouncing the vowel sound O for the word FOCUS. This is important to learn especially if you are using this word in your profession. If the sound O is not pronounced fully, it may be embarrassing.
