Common Pronunciation Errors: Extra Syllables

One of the error patterns which is common for non-native speakers of English is to say an extra syllable in certain words.  This usually occurs because the spelled word looks like it should have additional sounds/syllables, or the root word has a different syllable pattern.

Here are a few common words with this error pattern:

different  This word has 2 syllables: dif  - rent.  Avoid saying 3 syllables, dif-er-ent. 

difference This word has 2 syllables: dif  -rence.  Avoid saying 3 syllables, dif-er-ence. 

vegetable This word has 3 syllables: veg - ta - ble.  Avoid saying e syllables, veg-e-ta-ble.

several   This word has 2 syllables: se - vral.  Avoid saying 3 syllables, se-ver-al.

interest  This word has 2 syllables: in - trest.  Avoid saying 3 syllables, in-ter-est.

interesting, interested  These words can be pronounced with either 3 syllables or 4 syllables.  In most cases, we use 3 syllables to make our speech more fluent, especially when the word is in a sentence.  Using 3 syllables will typically make your speech sound more American, and using 4 syllables will make your speech sound more accented.

3 syllables (preferable):  in - tres - ting,   in - tres - ted
4 syllables:  in - ter - est - ing,  in - ter - es - ted

groceries  This word can be either 2 syllables:  gros - ries or 3 syllables:  gro - ser- ies.  Like the above words, using 3 syllables will typically make your speech sound more American, and using 4 syllables will make your speech sound more accented.

general  This word can be either 2 syllables:  gen - ral or 3 syllables:  gen - er- al.  Using 2 syllables is preferable to sound like a fluent American speaker.

preferable  This word can be either 3 syllables:  pref - ra - ble  or 4 syllables:  pref - er- a - ble.  Using the reduced version will help you sound like a fluent American speaker.

Adverbs with -ally:
basically, typically    These words have 3 syllables.  Ba - sic - ly;    ty -pic - ly.  Avoid using 4 syllables ba-sic-a-ly;    ty-pic-a-ly.

specifically  This word has 4 syllables.  spe - ci  - fic - ly.  Avoid using 5 syllables,  spe-ci-fic-a-ly.

automatically   This word has 5 syllables.  au - to - ma - tic - ly.  Avoid using 6 syllables, au-to-ma-ti-ca-ly.

actually, especially  These words can be either 3 or 4 syllables.  Using the reduced version is advised.
3 syllables:  ac-tul-ly; es-pesh-ly
4 syllables:  ac-tu-a-ly; es-pe-shu-ly

For more help with words ending in -ly, see this post.

You can use the recording below to practice saying these words with the correct number of syllables.

Practice Words