Summary: Mispronouncing words in the IELTS Speaking test can impact your band score. Here's a practical blog on commonly mispronounced words, their correct pronunciation, and how to improve your spoken English confidently.
What Are the Most Commonly Mispronounced Words in the IELTS Speaking Test?
Correct pronunciation plays an important role in the IELTS Speaking test. Even if your grammar and vocabulary are strong, mispronounced words in English can confuse the examiner and affect your fluency and coherence score. Learning the correct pronunciation of words is a crucial step toward performing well.
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What Are the Most Commonly Mispronounced Words in English?
Many test-takers unknowingly mispronounce everyday words. Below is a list of 50 mispronounced words, especially relevant to IELTS candidates, with both incorrect and correct pronunciations to help you recognise the difference.
Word | Incorrect Pronunciation | Correct Pronunciation |
Abalone | ah-boh-lohn | ab-uh-loh-nee |
Anemone | uh-nee-mohn | uh-nem-uh-nee |
Antarctica | ant-ark-tik-uh | ant-ahrk-ti-kuh |
Gesture | jes-chur | jes-cher |
Leisure | lee-sure | leh-shur |
Mischievous | mis-chee-vee-us | mis-chuh-vuhs |
Niche | neesh | nich |
Prejudice | pre-joo-diss | pre-juh-dis |
Squirrel | skwuh-rel | skwur-uhl |
Entrepreneur | en-tuh-pruh-noor | ahn-truh-pruh-nur |
Library | lie-berry | lie-brer-ee |
Schedule | sked-yool | sheh-jool |
February | feb-roo-air-ee | feb-roo-er-ee |
Nuclear | noo-kyuh-ler | noo-klee-er |
Synonym | sin-uh-nym | sin-nuh-m |
Vehicle | vee-hick-uhl | vee-i-kuhl |
Genre | jen-ner | zhahn-ruh |
Vegetable | veg-tay-buhl | vej-tuh-buhl |
Restaurant | res-tuh-rant | res-tuh-rahnt |
Interesting | in-ter-est-ing | in-tuh-res-ting |
Jewelry | jew-luh-ree | joo-uhl-ree |
Wednesday | wednz-day | wenz-dei |
Comfortable | com-fort-uh-buhl | kuhm-fert-uh-buhl |
Vegetable | ve-ge-ta-ble | vej-tuh-buhl |
Refrigerator | ree-fri-juh-rey-ter | ri-frij-uh-rey-ter |
Recognise | rek-uhg-nise | rek-uhg-nahys |
Miscellaneous | miss-uh-ley-nee-uhs | mis-uh-lay-nee-uhs |
Dialogue | dyuh-log | dahy-uhg |
Vegetarian | vej-uh-tair-ee-uhn | vej-i-tair-ee-uhn |
Pronunciation | pruh-nun-see-ey-shun | pruh-nuhn-see-ey-shun |
Vocabulary | voh-kab-yuh-ler-ee | voh-kab-yuh-luh-ree |
Envelope | en-vuh-lohp | en-vuh-lohp |
Government | guhv-ern-ment | guhv-er-muhnt |
Pronunciation | pruh-noun-see-ay-shun | pruh-nuhn-see-ay-shun |
Archive | ar-kive | ar-kahyv |
Organisation | or-gan-i-say-shun | awr-guh-nuh-sey-shun |
Medicine | med-i-seen | med-i-sin |
Persuade | per-swayd | per-swade |
February | feb-yoo-air-ee | feb-roo-er-ee |
Miniature | min-uh-cher | min-ee-uh-cher |
Which Countries and Cities Are Often Mispronounced in IELTS?
Yes! Country and city names are frequently mispronounced in the IELTS Speaking test. Here's a helpful table to set the record straight.
Top 10 mispronounced country names:
Country | Mispronounced As | Correct Pronunciation |
Argentina | Ar-gen-tee-nah | Ar-gen-tee-nuh |
Chile | Chill | Chee-lay |
Thailand | Thai-land | Tai-land |
Nigeria | Nigh-ger-ee-ah | Nai-jeer-ee-ah |
Qatar | Kwa-tar | Kuh-tar |
Greece | Gree-se | Grees |
Pakistan | Pack-i-stan | Pah-ki-stahn |
Colombia | Co-lum-bi-a | Kuh-lum-bee-uh |
Nicaragua | Nye-ka-ra-gwah | Nik-uh-ra-gwah |
Mauritius | Ma-ri-shus | Maw-ri-shus |
10 commonly mispronounced city names
City | Mispronounced As | Correct Pronunciation |
Beijing | Bai-jing | Bay-jing |
Moscow | Moss-cow | Mah-skow |
Bangkok | Bang-kok | Bang-gawk |
Melbourne | Mel-born | Mel-burn |
Dubai | Doo-bye | Doo-BYE |
Munich | Mew-nich | Myoo-nik |
Budapest | Bud-a-pest | Boo-da-pesht |
Reykjavik | Reyk-ja-vik | Rake-ya-vik |
Lahore | Luh-hor | Lah-hor |
Buenos Aires | Bwen-os Airs | Bway-nos Eye-rehs |
How can you improve English pronunciation for IELTS?
Improving pronunciation is easier with the right methods. Here’s how to avoid mispronunciation and develop confidence in speaking:
Listen actively: Use podcasts, YouTube, news channels, and audiobooks in English.
Break words into syllables: Deconstruct complex words for clarity.
Practice aloud: Read out loud daily and use apps or recordings to track progress.
Learn word stress and intonation: English is a stress-timed language. Know where to emphasise.
Join speaking groups: Practice with peers or use online language exchange platforms.
Check dictionaries: Use audio tools like Cambridge or Oxford online dictionaries for correct pronunciation of words.
Use tongue twisters: Boost articulation and fluency.
Repetition: Consistently repeat difficult mispronounced words to build memory and muscle recall.
Whether you're struggling with everyday vocabulary or commonly mispronounced country names, the key is consistent, informed practice. The IELTS Speaking test rewards not just fluency, but clarity and accuracy, make sure mispronunciation doesn’t hold you back.
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