Are you struggling with how to pronounce the word “persevered”? You’re not alone! This word can be tricky to say correctly, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to master it in no time. One of the most important things to remember is to pronounce the “e” in the second syllable like the “e” in “bed”. Additionally, the “r” in the third syllable should be pronounced like a soft “r”, as in “butter”.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to pronouncing “persevered”:
1. Start by saying the word “per”.
2. Next, add the syllable “se”.
3. Finally, add the syllable “vered”, pronouncing the “e” like the “e” in “bed” and the “r” like a soft “r”.
Breaking Down the Syllables
Understanding the Pronunciation
The word “persevered” is pronounced as “per-suh-verd”. It consists of three syllables:
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|—|—|
| per | purr |
| suh | like the “u” in “up” |
| verd | vurrd |
The stress is placed on the second syllable, “suh”. When pronouncing the word, the “e” in the first syllable is pronounced as a schwa sound, a short, neutral vowel sound. The “e” in the third syllable is pronounced with a slight “r” sound, creating the “verd” ending. By breaking down the word into its syllables and paying attention to the vowel sounds and consonant pronunciations, you can accurately pronounce “persevered”.
Understanding the “Per” Sound
The “per” sound in “persevered” is a combination of the “p” and “er” sounds. To pronounce it correctly, follow these steps:
- Start by making a “p” sound, as in the word “pet”.
- Transition smoothly into the “er” sound, as in the word “errand”.
- Hold the “er” sound for a brief moment to give it emphasis.
Here are some examples of words that contain the “per” sound:
| Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Persevere | pæ-sæ-vɪər |
| Perfect | pæ-fɪkt |
| Performance | pæ-ˈfɔːrm-æns |
Correctly Pronouncing the “Se”
The “se” in “persevered” is pronounced /z/, as in the word “zeal.” To make this sound, place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth and release it with a gentle hiss.
Here are some tips to help you correctly pronounce the “se” in “persevered”:
- Relax your lips and jaw.
- Place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth and release it with a gentle hiss.
- Practice saying the word “zeal” several times to get the feel of the sound.
To further illustrate the pronunciation of the “se” sound, here is a table comparing the correct pronunciation with common mispronunciations:
| Correct Pronunciation | Mispronunciation |
|---|---|
| /z/ | /s/ |
| zeal | seal |
| persevered | persevered |
Mastering the “Ve”
The “ve” sound in “persevered” is a diphthong, meaning it transitions from one vowel sound to another. To pronounce it correctly:
1. Start with the “e” sound:
Open your mouth slightly and make an “e” sound, similar to the “e” in “bed”.
2. Glide to the “a” sound:
As you hold the “e” sound, gradually close your mouth and round your lips, transitioning to an “a” sound like the “a” in “cat”.
3. Hold the “a” sound:
Once you reach the “a” sound, hold it for a moment, then release.
4. Focus on the tongue position:
To ensure clarity, place the tip of your tongue slightly behind your lower front teeth and raise the middle of your tongue to create a slight arch. This positioning will help produce the distinctive “ve” sound.
| Incorrect Tongue Position | Correct Tongue Position |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Emphasizing the “R”
To ensure proper pronunciation of the “R” sound in “persevered,” focus on the following steps when you say it:
- Bring your jaw forward and relax it slightly.
- Curl your tongue backward towards the back of your throat.
- With the tip of your tongue, gently tap the ridge behind your front teeth several times to create the “R” vibration.
- Hold the “R” sound for a brief moment to emphasize it.
- Continue enunciating the rest of the word clearly, maintaining the emphasis on the “R” as you transition to the “V” sound.
| Correct Pronunciation | Incorrect Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| per-suh-VEHRd | per-suh-VEE-urd |
Connecting the Syllables
To pronounce the word “persevered” correctly, divide it into syllables: “per-se-vered.”
1. First Syllable: “Per”
Pronounce the “e” as in “egg.”
2. Second Syllable: “Se”
Pronounce the “e” as in “bet.”
3. Third Syllable: “Ver”
Pronounce the “e” as in “egg.
4. Fourth Syllable: “Ed”
Pronounce the “e” as in “end.”
5. Combine the Syllables
Connect the syllables smoothly: “per-se-vered.”
6. Stress and Intonation
The primary stress falls on the second syllable: “per-se-vered.”
The intonation begins high on the first syllable and falls gradually over the remaining syllables.
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Per | /pɜː/ |
| Se | /sɛ/ |
| Ver | /vɜː/ |
| Ed | /d/ |
Perseverance: A Word Often Mispronounced
The word “persevered” is often mispronounced, especially by native English speakers. The correct pronunciation is “purr-suh-veerd.”
Common Mispronunciations
1. “Purr-suh-verd”
This is the most common mispronunciation of “persevered.” The “e” in the middle of the word is pronounced like the “e” in “bed,” not like the “e” in “bet.”
2. “Per-suh-veerd”
This mispronunciation is less common than “purr-suh-verd,” but it is still occasionally heard. The “e” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “e” in “pet,” not like the “e” in “bed.”
3. “Per-suh-vayrd”
This mispronunciation is rare, but it is still possible to hear it. The “e” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “a” in “ray,” not like the “e” in “bed.”
4. “Purr-suh-vayrd”
This mispronunciation is a combination of the first two mispronunciations. The “e” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “e” in “bed,” and the “a” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “a” in “ray.”
5. “Purr-suh-veerd”
This mispronunciation is a combination of the first and third mispronunciations. The “e” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “e” in “bed,” and the “y” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “i” in “ray.”
6. “Purr-suh-vurd”
This mispronunciation is a combination of the first and fourth mispronunciations. The “e” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “e” in “bed,” and the “a” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “u” in “run.”
7. “Purr-suh-vurrd”
This mispronunciation is the most complex of all the mispronunciations of “persevered.” The “e” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “e” in “bed,” the “a” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “u” in “run,” and the “r” in this pronunciation is pronounced like the “r” in “stir.”
| Correct Pronunciation | Incorrect Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| purr-suh-veerd | purr-suh-verd |
| purr-suh-veerd | per-suh-veerd |
| purr-suh-veerd | per-suh-vayrd |
| purr-suh-veerd | purr-suh-vayrd |
| purr-suh-veerd | purr-suh-veerd |
| purr-suh-veerd | purr-suh-vurd |
| purr-suh-veerd | purr-suh-vurrd |
Practice Exercises
Here are a few practice exercises to help you improve your pronunciation of “persevered”:
1. Repeat the following words and phrases:
- Persevered
- He persevered
- She persevered
- They persevered
2. Read the following passage aloud:
The team persevered through difficult times to achieve their goals. They never gave up, even when things got tough. Their perseverance paid off in the end, and they were able to celebrate their victory.
3. Listen to the following audio clip and repeat the pronunciation of “persevered”:
4. Record yourself pronouncing “persevered” and listen to it back to identify any areas for improvement.
5. Use a pronunciation dictionary to check the correct pronunciation of “persevered.”
6. Practice pronouncing “persevered” in different contexts, such as in a conversation or a presentation.
7. Ask a native English speaker to listen to your pronunciation and provide feedback.
8. Use a tongue twister to practice pronouncing “persevered”:
| Tongue Twister | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers | Pi-tur Pai-pur pi-kud a pi-kuk uf pi-ku-lud pi-purs |
| She sells seashells by the seashore | Shi si-ls si-shi-ls bai thi si-shi-or |
| Thirty thousand thirsty Thursdays | Thur-ti thou-sind thur-sti Thurz-deis |
How to Pronounce Persevered in English
Persevered is a commonly used word in English vocabulary. Pronouncing it correctly is essential for effective communication.
Tips for Improving Pronunciation
1. Break Down the Word
Divide “persevered” into syllables: per-se-vered.
2. Focus on Each Syllable
Pay attention to the individual sounds in each syllable.
3. Exaggerate the Sounds
Over-pronounce the vowels and consonants to improve accuracy.
4. Use a Mirror
Watch your mouth and tongue as you speak to identify areas for improvement.
5. Practice Tongue Twisters
Engage in tongue twisters that include the sounds in “persevered,” such as “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
6. Listen to Native Speakers
Expose yourself to native English speakers pronouncing the word to grasp its natural flow.
7. Record Yourself
Record yourself speaking and compare your pronunciation to a native speaker’s recording.
8. Seek Feedback
Ask a native speaker or language teacher to provide feedback on your pronunciation.
9. Additional Pronunciation Tips
| Syllable | Pronunciation Guide |
|---|---|
| per- | Pronounced like “purr” |
| se- | Pronounced like “say” |
| -vered | Pronounced with a stressed “ver” sound and a soft “d” |
Using Pronunciation Tools
Pronunciation tools can be very helpful for learning how to pronounce English words correctly. There are many different types of pronunciation tools available, including:
- Online dictionaries: Many online dictionaries include audio pronunciations of words. This can be a helpful way to hear how a word is pronounced by a native speaker.
- Pronunciation apps: There are many different pronunciation apps available for smartphones and tablets. These apps can provide audio pronunciations of words, as well as interactive exercises to help you practice your pronunciation.
- YouTube videos: There are many YouTube videos available that can teach you how to pronounce English words correctly. These videos can be a helpful way to learn from native speakers and see how words are pronounced in different contexts.
In addition to these tools, there are also a number of websites and resources that can provide you with information on English pronunciation. For example, the website of the International Phonetic Association (IPA) provides a comprehensive guide to the pronunciation of English sounds.
If you are having trouble pronouncing a particular word, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a native speaker or a pronunciation tutor. With a little practice, you will be able to pronounce English words correctly and confidently.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Online dictionaries | Provide audio pronunciations of words |
| Pronunciation apps | Offer audio pronunciations and interactive exercises |
| YouTube videos | Teach pronunciation from native speakers and show word use in context |
How To Pronounce Persevered
The word “persevered” is pronounced as “per-suh-veerd.” The emphasis is on the second syllable. The word has three syllables and is pronounced with a long “e” sound in the second syllable. The “r” sound in the third syllable is pronounced with a slight trill.
Here are some tips for pronouncing “persevered” correctly:
- Start by saying the word “per.” This is the first syllable of the word.
- Next, say the word “suh.” This is the second syllable of the word and is pronounced with a long “e” sound.
- Finally, say the word “veerd.” This is the third syllable of the word and is pronounced with a slight trill on the “r” sound.
Practice saying the word “persevered” several times until you can pronounce it correctly. You can also listen to a recording of the word being pronounced to help you learn how to say it correctly.
People Also Ask About How To Pronounce Persevered
How many syllables are in the word persevered?
The word “persevered” has three syllables.
What is the emphasis on the word persevered?
The emphasis is on the second syllable of the word “persevered.”
How do you pronounce the “r” sound in the word persevered?
The “r” sound in the word “persevered” is pronounced with a slight trill.
