Pronunciation: the letter e: How and When to Use in English
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Pronunciation: the letter e
Generally, the letter e is pronounced :
bed
exit
Sometimes, the letter e is pronounced similar to , for example:
- in some words ending in -ed and -es:
wanted
excuses
- in common words like:
we
me
English
At the end of a word, the letter e is generally silent:
make
Note: When the letter e is followed by another vowel, it can be pronounced in different ways:
eat
see
early
eight
Don't worry! We know that English pronunciation is not easy. It will naturally improve with time and practice, and people will understand you well regardless!
Which word did you hear?
Which word did you hear?
In this clip you heard desk . This word contains the most common pronunciation of the letter e ( ), which you can also hear in bed and let .
Dish is spelled with an i and is pronounced . In this clip you heard desk . Other examples: fish, finish.
Task is spelled with an a and is pronounced , whereas here you heard desk . Other examples: mask, ask, basket.
How do you pronounce she?
How do you pronounce she?
Here you heard shoe , not she .
That's correct! She ends in ‑e pronounced as . Other words with a similar pronunciation are we and e-mail .
In this clip you heard shy , not she . Shy ends in ‑y, which here is pronounced , as in why or try.
Which word did you hear?
Which word did you hear?
A hippo is a lovely animal, but here you heard apple .
Apply is pronounced , but here you heard apple . Apply ends in ‑y, just like fly or why .
This is the word you heard: apple . As in most words, the ‑e at the end is silent, just like in make or late .
How do you pronounce soon?
How do you pronounce soon?
Here you heard son (with one o) , not soon (with oo) . Other examples: mother ; oven .
In this clip you heard scene , not soon . In scene, the first e is pronounced as , like in me and we .
This is how you pronounce soon: . This is the most common sound corresponding to oo, and you can find it in words like moon and pool .
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