The word “integral” can be a bit tricky to pronounce, but it’s not as difficult as it looks. Here are a few tips to help you get it right:
The first step is to divide the word into syllables. “Integral” has three syllables: “in-teg-ral”. The stress is on the second syllable, so that’s where you’ll put the most emphasis. The first syllable is pronounced like the word “in”, and the third syllable is pronounced like the word “ral”.
Once you have the syllables down, you can start putting them together. The key is to keep the stress on the second syllable. Here’s how it should sound: “in-TEG-ral”. If you find yourself emphasizing the first or third syllable, try again until you get it right.
Breaking Down Integral into Syllables
To pronounce integral correctly, it’s helpful to break it down into syllables. Integral has three syllables, which are pronounced as follows:
First Syllable: “In”
The first syllable of integral is “in”. This syllable is pronounced with the short “i” sound, as in the word “in”.
Second Syllable: “Te”
The second syllable of integral is “te”. This syllable is pronounced with the long “e” sound, as in the word “feet”.
Third Syllable: “Gra”
The third syllable of integral is “gra”. This syllable is pronounced with the short “a” sound, as in the word “cat”.
Combining the Syllables
To pronounce integral, simply combine the three syllables as follows:
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| In | /ɪn/ |
| Te | /tiː/ |
| Gra | /grə/ |
When combined, the three syllables form the pronunciation of integral: /ɪnˈtiːgrəl/.
Understanding the Stress Pattern
The English pronunciation of "integral" is divided into three syllables: "in-te-gral." The stress falls on the second syllable, so the word is pronounced with an emphasis on "-te-." This stress pattern is common in words that have a suffix beginning with a consonant, such as "-ment" or "-tion."
Breaking Down the Syllables
- in-: This syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, as in the word "in."
- -te-: This syllable is pronounced with a long "e" sound, as in the word "theme." It receives the primary stress, so it is pronounced with slightly more volume and duration.
- -gral: This syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in the word "flat," and a voiceless "l" sound.
Pronunciation Table
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| in- | /ɪn/ |
| -te- | /teɪ/ |
| -gral | /ɡrəl/ |
Pronouncing the “I” Sound
The “i” in “integral” is pronounced with a short “i” sound, as in “it” or “sit”. To make this sound, place your tongue behind your lower teeth and spread your lips slightly. Then, exhale a stream of air through your mouth while keeping your tongue in position.
Variations in Pronunciation
There are two main variations in the pronunciation of the “i” in “integral”:
- Standard American Pronunciation: The “i” is pronounced with the short “i” sound, as described above.
- British Received Pronunciation: The “i” is pronounced with a slightly longer “i” sound, which is closer to the sound in “eat” or “meet”.
The following table illustrates the difference in pronunciation:
| Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|
| Standard American | in’tegral |
| British Received | in’teigral |
Handling the “N” Consonant
The “n” sound in “integral” is pronounced like the “n” in “ink” or “under.” Unlike in some other languages, the “n” is not silent in English.
Here are the steps to pronouncing the “n” in “integral”:
1. Place your tongue against the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth.
2. Allow air to flow out of your nose as you make the “n” sound.
3. Keep your tongue in contact with the roof of your mouth for the duration of the sound.
4. Notice that the “n” sound is a continuous sound, meaning it is produced without interruption. It’s not like the “b” sound in “bat,” which is a plosive sound, or the “m” sound in “moon,” which is a nasal-plosive sound.
The following table summarizes the key features of the “n” sound in “integral”:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Articulation | Alveolar nasal |
| Voicing | Voiced |
| Manner of articulation | Continuous |
Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of “integral” can vary depending on the region and accent of the speaker.
Standard Pronunciation
The standard pronunciation of “integral” in American English is with the stress on the second syllable, pronounced as /ˈɪntəgrəl/.
British Pronunciation
In British English, the pronunciation of “integral” is typically with the stress on the first syllable, pronounced as /ˈɪn.təɡral/.
Other Variations
There are several other variations in the pronunciation of “integral” that may be encountered in different parts of the English-speaking world
| Region | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| North America | /ˈɪnt.əɡrəl/ |
| United Kingdom | /ˈɪn.təɡral/ |
| Australia | /ˈɪnt.əɡrəl/ or /ˈɪn.təɡral/ |
| New Zealand | /ˈɪnt.əɡrəl/ |
| South Africa | /ˈɪnt.əɡrəl/ or /ˈɪn.təɡral/ |
When pronouncing “integral,” it is important to use the pronunciation that is most common in the context in which you are speaking. In formal or academic settings, the standard pronunciation is typically preferred. However, in casual or informal settings, any of the variations may be acceptable.
Common Mispronunciations to Avoid
### 1. “In-te-gral”
This is the most common mispronunciation, especially in North America. The correct pronunciation is “in-tuh-gral.”
### 2. “In-tuh-grawl”
This pronunciation is also incorrect. The correct pronunciation is “in-tuh-gral.”
### 3. “In-tuh-grel”
This pronunciation is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is “in-tuh-gral.”
### 4. “In-tuh-gril”
This pronunciation is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is “in-tuh-gral.”
### 5. “In-tuh-gul”
This pronunciation is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is “in-tuh-gral.”
### 6. “In-tuh-gyul”
This pronunciation is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is “in-tuh-gral.”
### 7. “In-tuh-gyel”
This pronunciation is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is “in-tuh-gral.”
### 8. “In-tuh-jyul”
This pronunciation is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is “in-tuh-gral.”
Here’s a table summarizing the correct and incorrect pronunciations:
| Correct Pronunciation | Incorrect Pronunciations |
|---|---|
| in-tuh-gral | in-te-gral, in-tuh-grawl, in-tuh-grel, in-tuh-gril, in-tuh-gul, in-tuh-gyul, in-tuh-gyel, in-tuh-jyul |
Listening to Audio Recordings
Listening to audio recordings is an excellent way to improve your pronunciation of integral. There are many resources available online that offer audio recordings of native English speakers pronouncing the word. You can find these recordings on websites such as YouTube, SoundCloud, and Forvo.
To get the most out of these recordings, be sure to pay attention to the following:
- The stressed syllable. The stressed syllable in integral is the second syllable. This means that you should pronounce the word with more emphasis on the "te" sound.
- The vowel sounds. The vowel sound in the first syllable of integral is the "i" sound as in "sit." The vowel sound in the second syllable is the "a" sound as in "cat."
- The consonant sounds. The consonant sounds in integral are all pronounced very clearly. The "n" sound is pronounced with the tip of your tongue touching the roof of your mouth. The "t" sound is pronounced with the tip of your tongue touching the back of your top teeth. The "g" sound is pronounced with the back of your tongue touching the roof of your mouth.
Table of Recommended Audio Recordings
| Website | Recording Link |
|---|---|
| YouTube | How to Pronounce Integral – American English Pronunciation |
| SoundCloud | Integral Pronunciation |
| Forvo | Integral Pronunciation |
How to Pronounce Integral
The word integral is pronounced \in-tuh-grul\. The first syllable is stressed, and the second syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, similar to the “u” in “but”.
Here is a breakdown of the pronunciation:
- The first syllable, “in-“, is pronounced with the short “i” sound, as in “in”.
- The second syllable, “-tuh-“, is pronounced with the short “u” sound, as in “but”.
- The third syllable, “-grul”, is pronounced with the “gr” sound, as in “green”, and the “l” sound, as in “lady”.
People Also Ask About How to Pronounce Integral
Is the word integral pronounced with a hard or soft g?
The word integral is pronounced with a hard g, as in “green”.
What is the difference between integral and integer?
Integral and integer are two different words with different meanings.
An integral is a mathematical function that represents the area under a curve or the volume of a solid. An integer is a whole number, such as 1, 2, or 3.
How do you say integral in Spanish?
The word integral is pronounced \in-te-gral\ in Spanish.
