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Misspoken or Mispronounced Words and Phrases
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Writing serves us well in communication by providing us with a framework for arranging words into clear and thoughtful statements, including opportunities for eloquence.
Applying ourselves to concise writing can also reinforce articulate speech. We are often moved or impressed by those who express themselves with precision and power. Think of the historic public addresses by Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Conversely, misspeaking and mispronouncing words and phrases can quickly sabotage and discredit our intellectual or persuasive standing with another person. Plus, beyond sounding wrong, these verbal glitches can contaminate our writing. If our mind’s ear hears or spells a word a certain way, we might wind up writing it as such as well.
For this reason, we’ve compiled some words and phrases to watch out for. Maybe some of us have tripped over a few, and perhaps a few have caused us all to fall. Some of the entries might surprise even the most well spoken among us.
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Word or Phrase (Glitch: S=misspoken, P=mispronounced)
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Correct Treatment
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affidavit (to mean written statement sworn before an official)
(P)
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(af-i-DEY-vit), not (af-i-DEY-vid)
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all the sudden (S)
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all of a sudden
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Antarctic (P), Arctic (P)
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(ant-AHRK-tik, AHRK-tik), not (ant-AHR-tik, AHR-tik)
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Calvary (to mean military service that fights on horseback) (S)
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cavalry (KAV-uhl-ree)
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chomp at the bit
(S)
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champ at the bit
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et cetera (to mean “and the rest”) (P)
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(et SET-er-uh), not (ex-ET-er-uh, ek-SET-er-uh)
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escape (P)
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(ih-SKEYP), not (ex-KEYP)
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espresso (P)
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(e-SPRES-oh), not (ex-PRES-oh)
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for all intensive purposes (S)
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for all intents and purposes
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forte (to mean strength or talent) (P)
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(fort), not (for-TAY)
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genome (to mean full set of chromosomes) (P)
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(JEE-nohm), not (geh-NOHM)
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jaguar (P)
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(JAG-wahr, -yoo-ahr), not (JAG-wire)
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larynx (P)
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(LAR-ingks), not (LAR-niks)
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mayonnaise (P)
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(mey-uh-NEYZ; MEY-uh-neyz), not (MAN-eyz)
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meme (to mean cultural item transmitted by repetition) (P)
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(meem), not (mehm)
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niche (to mean suitable position; distinct market segment) (P)
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(nich), not (neesh)
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nuclear (P)
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(NOO-klee-er), not (NOO-kyuh-ler, NOO-kyoo-ler)
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prescription (P)
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(pri-SKRIP-shuhn), not (per-SKRIP-shuhn)
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probably (P)
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(PROB-uh-blee), not (PROB-lee)
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realtor (P)
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(REE-uhl-ter), not (REEL-uh-ter)
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take for granite (S)
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take for granted
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veteran (P)
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(VET-er-uhn), not (VEH-truhn)
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veterinary (P)
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(VET-er-uh-ner-ee), not (VEH-truh-ner-ee)
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voilà (to mean “here it is”) (P)
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(vwah-LAH), not (wah-LAH)
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You can find more often mispronounced words in our entry “You Lost Me After ‘Feb’ .”
When we open our mouths, our minds are on parade. By devoting attention to
proper phrasing and pronunciation, we can make sure what marches out sounds
and lines up as it should.
If you know of or come across other misspoken or mispronounced words and
phrases that are becoming more prevalent, feel free to share them with us
for possible inclusion in a future article!
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View and comment on this
article on our website.
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Wordplay
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English in a Snap:
68 One-Minute English Usage Videos FREE |
Learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these easy-to-follow lessons. Share them with your colleagues (and boss), children, teachers, and friends as well! Click here to watch.
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