Words that lose a syllable
Many common English words are written with a syllable that native speakers simply do not say, a process called syncope. Chocolate is 'choc-lit', not 'choc-o-late', and comfortable is 'comf-ta-ble'. Count the beats as you listen and compare them with the number of vowels on the page.
Accent
15 words · intermediate · your accent and voice are remembered across the site. More options on the settings page.
The words
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Schwa sound words
The most common sound in English, hiding in every unstressed syllable. Learn to hear the schwa.
WH words
What, where, who, whole: the WH spelling covers three different sounds. Hear which is which.
US vs UK stress shifts
Adult, garage, ballet, cafe: the stressed syllable moves between accents. Hear where it lands.
-ary and -ory endings
Necessary, laboratory, secretary: Americans keep a full syllable that the British swallow.
Business English words
Entrepreneur, niche, liaison, quarterly: office vocabulary you need to say with confidence.
Travel words
Itinerary, concierge, lounge, queue: airport and hotel vocabulary said the right way.
Keep practising
Browse every practice list, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.