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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

chocolate
comfortable
vegetable
every
different
interesting
business
family
camera
favourite
temperature
restaurant
separate
literature
aspirin

More lists like this

Magic E words
A silent final E that changes the vowel before it: hat to hate, kit to kite. Hear the difference.
15
Show the 15 words

Compound word stress
Greenhouse or green house? Compound nouns stress the first word. Hear where the emphasis lands.
15
Show the 15 words

Noun and verb stress pairs
REcord or reCORD? Same spelling, stress moves with the part of speech. Hear both versions.
15
Show the 15 words

-ATE ending words
Separate the adjective, separate the verb: -ate changes vowel by word class. Hear both forms.
15
Show the 15 words

-IC and -ICAL stress
Photograph, photography, photographic: the stress moves every time. Hear the whole family.
15
Show the 15 words

Easy English words to pronounce
The most common everyday English words, pronounced slowly and clearly for absolute beginners.
15
Show the 15 words

Keep practising

Browse every practice list or the word index, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.

To read the rules behind these words, see the pronunciation guides — including silent letters, word stress and American vs British. Or hear each accent on its own page: American, British, Australian.