Do you ever feel like speaking English is hard? One of the biggest challenges people face is with pronunciation. In this article, we will discuss the pronunciation of "hour" and "our". These two words are often confused, but with a little practice, you can learn to pronounce them correctly.
Hour
The word "hour" has a silent "h". This means that you do not pronounce the "h" sound at the beginning. Instead, you should start with the vowel sound. The correct pronunciation is "ow-er". It is important to note that the "o" sound is a diphthong, which means it is made up of two vowel sounds. The first sound is "oh" and the second sound is "uh". When you say "hour", make sure to emphasize the "ow" sound.
Here is an example sentence: "I will be home in an hour". The correct pronunciation is "I will be home in ow-er".
Our
The word "our" is pronounced differently than "hour". The "o" sound in "our" is a pure vowel sound, which means it is only one sound. The correct pronunciation is "ow-er". Make sure to emphasize the "ow" sound just like with "hour".
Here is an example sentence: "Our team won the game". The correct pronunciation is "ow-er team won the game".
Practice
One of the best ways to improve your pronunciation is to practice. Here are some tips:
- Listen to native speakers and try to imitate their pronunciation.
- Record yourself speaking and listen for any mistakes.
- Practice tongue twisters to improve your tongue and jaw muscles.
- Use online resources, such as pronunciation videos and exercises.
It is important to remember that pronunciation takes time and practice. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and keep practicing!
Conclusion
Pronunciation can be a challenge, but with practice, anyone can improve. Remember to emphasize the "ow" sound in both "hour" and "our". Use the tips in this article to improve your pronunciation and become more confident in your English speaking abilities.