English Pronunciation: How to say words beginning in W + vowel | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn how the letter "w" changes vowel sounds in short words and the exceptions to this rule.

Key Insights

• 🔑 The letter "w" can change the vowel sound in short words, but there are exceptions to this rule.
• 🔑 Understanding the pronunciation of words with "w" can improve overall understanding and communication.
• 🤕 The letter "w" can change words like "bad" to "wod" and "ban" to "wan".
• 👂 Some exceptions include words like "fax" and "max" where the vowel sound remains the same.
• 📏 Knowing these pronunciation rules can help improve English language skills and comprehension.
• 🚶 The saying "He talks the talk, but he doesn't walk the walk" emphasizes the importance of actions aligning with words.
• 🔑 Learning individual word pronunciations with "w" is necessary as there are no fixed patterns.

Transcript

Hello. I'm Gill at engVid, and today we have a lesson on pronunciation which is connected with the letter "w", and how in some words, which are usually very short words, the "w" makes a difference to the vowel sound. Okay. So, it's worth knowing about these, and also to know that there are exceptions as well. So, some words this happens; other word... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it important to know which words change vowel sounds with the letter "w"?

It is important to know because pronouncing these words correctly can improve your overall pronunciation and understanding of spoken English.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the rule of "w" changing vowel sounds?

Yes, words like "fax" and "max" do not change the vowel sound despite having the letter "w" in them.

Q: What does the word "wad" mean?

"Wad" refers to a collection or lump of something, often used to describe a thick stack of money or a bundle of cloth.

Q: What is the significance of the saying "He talks the talk, but he doesn't walk the walk"?

This saying means that someone may say they believe in something, but they do not act accordingly. It emphasizes the importance of backing up words with actions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The letter "w" can change the vowel sound in short words, such as "bad" becoming "wod" and "ban" becoming "wan".

• Understanding which words change vowel sounds and which ones don't is important.

• There are exceptions to this rule, such as "fax" and "max" where the vowel sound remains the same.