If you’re wondering how to pronounce “compare,” you’re not alone. This word can be tricky to say, especially for non-native English speakers. The good news is that with a little practice, you’ll be able to pronounce it like a pro. In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through the correct pronunciation of “compare” and provide some helpful tips to make it easier.
The first step is to break down the word into its individual sounds. “Compare” is pronounced with three distinct syllables: “com,” “pair,” and “air.” The emphasis is on the second syllable, “pair.” To pronounce the first syllable, “com,” simply say the letter “c” followed by the vowel sound “o.” For the second syllable, “pair,” say the letter “p” followed by the vowel sound “ai.” Finally, for the third syllable, “air,” say the letter “a” followed by the letter “r.” Putting it all together, the correct pronunciation of “compare” is “kuh m perr.” Now that you know how to pronounce “compare,” you can practice saying it out loud until you feel confident. Remember to emphasize the second syllable and keep your pronunciation clear and precise. With a little practice, you’ll be able to use this word with ease in everyday conversation.
Here are a few sentences to help you practice the pronunciation of “compare:”
– I need to compare prices before I make a decision.
– The two products are very similar, but I need to compare them side-by-side.
– I’m not sure which one is better, so I’ll have to compare the two options.
Breaking Down the Syllables
The word “compare” consists of three distinct syllables: com-pare. Each syllable plays a crucial role in pronouncing the word correctly. Let’s examine each syllable in detail:
Com
The first syllable, “com,” is stressed, meaning it receives the most emphasis in pronunciation. It consists of two phonemes: /k/ and /ɑ/. The /k/ sound is pronounced with the back of the tongue raised towards the soft palate, while the /ɑ/ sound resembles the vowel sound in the word “father.”
Par
The second syllable, “par,” is unstressed and consists of two phonemes: /ɑ/ and /r/. The /ɑ/ sound is the same as in the first syllable, while the /r/ sound is produced by vibrating the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
E
The third syllable, “e,” is also unstressed and consists of a single phoneme: /ə/. This sound is known as a “schwa” and resembles the vowel sound in the word “about.” It serves to link the preceding syllables and provides a subtle ending to the word.
By understanding the breakdown of syllables, you can master the correct pronunciation of “compare,” ensuring clear and confident communication.
Stressing the Correct Vowel
The vowel in the second syllable of COMPARE is pronounced with the schwa sound, which is represented by the symbol /ə/. This sound is similar to the vowel sound in the word “about” or “sofa”. When pronouncing COMPARE, the stress falls on the first syllable, so the vowel in the second syllable is pronounced with a shorter, less emphasized sound.
| Correct Pronunciation | Incorrect Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| /ˈkɑːmpɛə(r)/ | /ˈkɑːmpeɪə(r)/ |
The following phonetic transcription shows the correct pronunciation of the word COMPARE with the stressed syllable highlighted in bold:**
/ˈkɑːm(p**ə**r)/
Rolling the ‘R’ Sound
In American English, the ‘r’ sound is typically pronounced by rolling the tongue back and forth against the roof of the mouth at the back of your throat. This sound is commonly used in words that end in ‘-er’, ‘-ir’, and ‘-or’, such as “teacher”, “mirror”, and “doctor”.
To practice rolling your ‘r’ sound, you can try the following exercise:
- Place the tip of your tongue behind your top front teeth.
- Keep your lips slightly apart and your teeth close together.
- Blow air through your mouth while rapidly vibrating the tip of your tongue.
With practice, you will be able to roll the ‘r’ sound more easily. Here are some additional tips:
| Tips |
|---|
| Start by practicing slowly and gradually increase your speed. |
| Listen to native English speakers to hear how the ‘r’ sound is pronounced. |
| Focus on relaxing your tongue and jaw. |
| Try placing your tongue slightly farther back in your mouth. |
| Practice regularly to improve your pronunciation. |
Once you have mastered the basic technique, you can start practicing rolling the ‘r’ sound in different words. With time and effort, rolling the ‘r’ sound will become more natural.
Practicing with Homographs
Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and meanings. This can be a challenge when trying to pronounce words like “compare,” which can be pronounced in two different ways depending on its meaning. Here are a few tips for practicing with homographs:
1. Identify the different meanings of the word.
2. Look at the context of the word to determine its meaning.
3. Listen to how the word is pronounced in different contexts.
Here is a table with examples of how the pronunciation of “compare” can change depending on its meaning:
| Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To examine | kuh-MPair | I need to compare the two products to see which one is better. |
| To be similar | kuh-MPAir | The two cars are very similar; it’s hard to compare them. |
By practicing with homographs, you can improve your pronunciation and avoid making mistakes when speaking English.
Using a Pronunciation Guide
A pronunciation guide is a tool that can be used to learn how to pronounce words correctly. There are many different types of pronunciation guides available, including online resources, dictionaries, and apps. When using a pronunciation guide, it is important to follow the instructions carefully.
1. Identify the word you want to pronounce.
2. Find the word in the pronunciation guide.
3. Look at the phonetic transcription of the word.
4. Read the phonetic transcription aloud.
5. Compare your pronunciation to the pronunciation in the guide.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 until you can pronounce the word correctly.
7. Practice pronouncing the word in different contexts.
| Phonetic Symbol | Example |
|---|---|
| /ɑː/ | father |
| /ɛ/ | bed |
| /ɪ/ | sit |
| /ɒ/ | dog |
| /ʊ/ | good |
Mastering the IPA Transcription
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a standardized system for representing the sounds of spoken language. It is used by linguists, speech therapists, and language learners to accurately transcribe and compare pronunciations.
The IPA symbol for the sound represented by the letters “compare” in English is /kəmˈpɛər/. This symbol is made up of the following components:
- /k/ – voiceless velar plosive
- /əm/ – schwa
- /p/ – voiceless bilabial plosive
- /ɛər/ – diphthong
IPA Table: Breaking Down the Sounds
| IPA Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| /k/ | Voiceless velar plosive: made by stopping the airflow at the back of the mouth with the tongue against the velum |
| /əm/ | Schwa: a neutral vowel sound, similar to the sound in “the” |
| /p/ | Voiceless bilabial plosive: made by stopping the airflow at the lips with both lips pressed together |
| /ɛər/ | Diphthong: a sound that starts as /ɛ/ (as in “bet”) and glides to /ɑː/ (as in “father”) |
The /k/ sound in “compare” is produced by constricting airflow at the back of the throat with the tongue, and then releasing it with a puff of air. The /əm/ sound is produced by vocalizing the sound without any obstruction or articulation. The /p/ sound is produced by completely blocking the airflow at the lips and then releasing it. The /ɛər/ sound is produced by starting with the sound /ɛ/ and then moving the tongue back to produce the sound /ɑː/. By understanding the IPA transcription, learners can accurately reproduce the pronunciation of “compare” in English.
How To Pronounce C O M P A R E
The correct pronunciation of C O M P A R E is kuh m-pair.
Here are some tips on how to pronounce it correctly:
- Start by saying the letter “c”.
- Next, say the letter “o”.
- Then, say the letter “m”.
- Finally, say the letters “p” and “a” together.
Practice saying the word aloud until you can pronounce it correctly.
People Also Ask About How To Pronounce C O M P A R E
What is the difference between compare and contrast?
Compare means to examine the similarities between two things. Contrast means to examine the differences between two things.
How do you spell compare?
The correct spelling of compare is C O M P A R E.
What is the past tense of compare?
The past tense of compare is compared.
