9 English Words That Almost Everyone Mispronounces

Here are 9 of the most frequently mispronounced words for both English learners and native speakers. They’re common, everyday words that you may not even notice you’re pronouncing incorrectly! Let’s fix them.

1. Pronunciation

It’s a bit ironic, right? The word for “how to say words” is constantly mispronounced! There’s no “noun” in pronunciation. It’s “nun” in the middle.

❌ Wrong: pro-NOUN-ciation

✅ Correct: pro-NUN-ciation

2. Espresso

Despite what your brain wants to do (ex-press, ex-pedite, ex-presso?), this Italian word starts with ES, like “escape.” 

❌ Wrong: EX-presso

✅ Correct: ES-presso

3. February

There’s an R after the B that almost everyone skips. The pronunciation may feel awkward at first, but it will come with targeted practice!

❌ Wrong: FEB-you-ary

✅ Correct: FEB-roo-ary

4. Wednesday

The first D and the second E are completely silent. The word has only two syllables. 

❌ Wrong: WED-nes-day

✅ Correct: WENZ-day

5. Comfortable

Native speakers compress this word. The “or” practically disappears.

❌ Wrong: com-FOR-ta-ble (four syllables)

✅ Correct: COMF-ter-ble (three syllables)

6. Library

There are two R sounds in this word. Many people drop the first one, which is incorrect.

❌ Wrong: LI-berry

✅ Correct: LI-brar-y 

7. Ask

The S comes before the K. This one’s a dialect feature in some English varieties, but in standard professional English, the letter order matters.

❌ Wrong: AX

✅ Correct: ASK

8. Nuclear

There’s no U after the C. Even a U.S. president got this one wrong consistently!

❌ Wrong: NU-cu-lar

✅ Correct: NU-cle-ar

9. Athlete

Don’t add an extra vowel in the middle. It’s just two syllables!

❌ Wrong: ATH-uh-leet (three syllables)

✅ Correct: ATH-leet (two syllables)

Why Do These Mistakes Happen?

Many of these pronunciation mistakes come from the chaotic spelling rules of English. Our brains see letters and assume how (or if) they should be pronounced. Or, we hear others mispronounce words and copy them.

Thankfully, it’s easy to remember and practice the correct pronunciations once you’ve learned it. You’re not fighting an accent issue; you’re just solving a mistake that native speakers make, too. 

Pick three words that you’ve been saying wrong. Now, say them correctly ten times. Do that for a couple more days, and you’ve solved it!

For more pronunciation fixes, including sounds specific to your native language, try Syranto. The words you’ve been saying wrong for years are probably not on this list!