How to pronounce "OF" like a native English speaker

Stop talking like a robot! Some words don't always sound the same, and this is especially true when native English speakers speak quickly. In this short and simple video, I will teach you about the different ways we pronounce the preposition "of". For example, did you know we pronounce "a lot of" like "alotta" in conversations? Understanding the pronunciation of words can also help you develop better listening skills.
Take the quiz to test your understanding: www.engvid.com/how-to-pronoun...
TRANSCRIPT
Hello. My name is Emma, and in today's video I am going to help you with your pronunciation. Today I am going to teach you how to pronounce one of the most common words in English. That word is the word "of". Okay? So, when we say "of" just on its own as a single word, we usually pronounce it like this: "ov", which has kind of like a "v" sound at the end, "of". Now, that's kind of hard to pronounce. There's an easier way that we pronounce this word when we use it in a sentence or an expression, and that's what we're going to learn today. So let's get started.
Okay, so I have here some English expressions. I have: "A lot of", "Slice of pie", "Piece of cake". Now, when I actually say this, I don't say: "ov". I want you to listen very carefully to what I'm actually saying and how I pronounce the word "of" in these expressions. Okay? "A lot a". I'll say that one more time: "A lot a". "Slice a pie", "Slice a pie", "Piece a cake", "Piece a cake". Okay? Now, I've said it a little louder than I usually would, but you'll notice I didn't say: "Slice ov pie", I said: "A slice a pie". So my point here is that native speakers of English, especially North American English, usually do not pronounce "of" like this; we actually pronounce it more like "a". Okay? So, what we can do is we can actually add an "a" here. So I want you to repeat after me: "A lot a", "A lot a", "I have a lot a friends." Okay? "A lot a". And we also say "a" a little bit quieter because it's not a stressed syllable. So we like to say it quieter than the rest of the expression. "Slice a pie". So I can remove this and add an "a". So let's say that together: "Slice a pie". All right, now let's try this expression: "A piece a cake". So this means it's something that's easy, so: "piece a cake". Okay?
So let's do some practice together. And you will see "of" a lot in English, so this is a really good word to practice and to get used to pronouncing in a native speaker way, because: A) it will be easier to understand you, and B) "a" is a lot easier to say than "ov". Okay? So let's practice these sentences together. So, I've put the word "of" with a red underline, and anytime you see "of", I want you to change it to "a", okay? So, let's say this together: "It is made of brick. It is made of brick.", "He has lots of money. He has lots of money." Okay. "Game of Thrones." If you like that TV show, that's a really important thing to be able to pronounce. "Game of Thrones.", "I thought of something." So, again, let's turn this to "a": "I thought of something.", "It's a piece of cake." And that means it's something very easy. "It's a piece of cake." Okay? This is actually one of my favourite idioms: "It's a piece of cake." All right? So now let's do some more practice on the word "of" and its pronunciation.
So one thing you can do if you're having trouble with the pronunciation of "of" in sentences, or expressions, or phrases is you can actually just put the "a" underneath "of" to help remind you. Okay? So this is one thing you can do when you're practicing the pronunciation of this. So let's practice some more sentences. "That's a nice piece of furniture." Okay? So now I want you to try: "That's a nice piece of furniture." And, again, when we say this part, we're not saying it loud, we're not saying: "Piece a furniture", we say it kind of quietly: "Piece of furniture". Okay? Let's try the next one: "The cost of living is high. The cost of living is high." Okay. You can do it one more time. "The cost..." Sorry. "The cost of living is high." All right. Let's do this next sentence. And, by the way, at the time of filming, Justin Trudeau is the Prime Minister, just in case, you know, it changes, I want this to make some sense. "The Prime Minister of Canada is handsome." Okay? He's a handsome man. "The Prime Minister of Canada is handsome." Okay? So now you can try to say that. Okay. Now let's try another sentence: "Many of the shows are comedies. Many of the shows are comedies." Okay? And when we say this part, we also kind of say it quicker, too. "Many of the shows are comedies", versus if I said: "Many of the shows are comedies." You can say that, but again, most native speakers say it very quick and more like a "a" sound. "Many of the shows are comedies." All right, and let's try one more: "Ottawa is..." So first I'll say it slow. "Ottawa is north of Toronto. Ottawa is north of Toronto." So now you try to say it. […]

[@andrekenji13]

Thanks, Emma! Greetings from Brazil!

[@GraphValdemar]

Thank you Emma for a lesson. The time has not been wasted for nothing. This 7 min is super worth.

[@Loboit]

I love your classes, Emma! Thank you so much!

[@jorgeleal246]

Amazing pronunciation tip, Emma! Thanks!

[@user-yp2ni3zj6u]

Thank You Emma.

[@abdulghanialshabibi]

Stunning . Wish u all the very best, Emma. The best teacher ever

[@khybermomand4061]

Amazing pronunciation tip, Emma! Thank you

[@juanhumbertocuetocabrejos8849]

Thank you very much, miss Emma.

[@diegoec6419]

Thanks teacher, love the way you teach us, greeting from Peru

[@natanaelpoloni7712]

Gostei, é difícil mas tua explicação é boa parabéns.

[@arocharocha3835]

Thank u very much mrs. Emma, God bless you for your time and patience to teach us.

[@CarlosEscube]

I am Brazilian too, Thanks Emma!

[@cesarmartins9775]

I DO love English and your teaching!!!

[@ndhtrinh4542]

The really helpful pronunciation tip. Thank you a lot!

[@gpknkee]

Really a practical tip! Thanks, Emma. :)

[@sachinunofficial9825]

Emma your all lessons are really helpful. Thanks

[@ezequielgervasio]

You're amazing! I was wondering me how to pronounce the word "Of" and now I see this video lesson teaching us *how to pronounce.* You read my mind! *Greetings from Brazil*

[@ousmanetoure105]

It's clear and neat as usually.

[@gilbertobuitrago2905]

Very good point. Thank You Emma.

[@claudiaantonelli774]

Thank you for WRITING DOWN your lesson. I loved it, it is the best manner to understand you

[@TheCustomerServiceBench]

Wonderful lesson! Thanks a lot Emma

[@carebears7646]

Hi Emma thank you for helping me will my English. You have been so helpful.🙂

[@Saurabhchaurasiavlogs]

I'm amazed .and mind blowing

[@serc1237]

Great Lesson Emma, Thank you so much

[@nijicabable]

It is so nice to learn English with you. Thanks.

[@MagnoRochaPlus]

My favorite teacher ever! Thanks!

[@tuantrananh1563]

Thanks Emma for everything what you teach in lessons..!

[@saralight8634]

Thank you Emma! I will listen.

[@manofcourage29]

thank you so much, the lesson helps me disolve my confusion for a very long time.

[@ashish3saxena]

Hello from India. Seriously the way you present things is very nice. Thank You Emma. ☺

[@satenikkhachatryan8230]

Thank you for your lessons. I hope your lessons help me to speak english fluently.

[@neemiaslima6495]

Teacher, you're wonderful!! Please, could you do more video with more frequency? Your videos help me a lot!!

[@albertpichardo4833]

I wish you did a video explaining the simple past ED pronunciation... You're a great teacher, greetings from the Dominican Republic

[@user-wb2xb7lp6j]

perferring more speaking lessons like this ,love you ,my teacher, I have almost finished all your classes

[@anacenac-mehedinti799]

Very interesting for me! Thank you !

[@ADITYASINGH-uc4ur]

This is very fruitful .. thank you for such an awesome class.

[@hugoapazaaquino5394]

Thanks Emma, from Peru !

[@traoreabdulramzy7114]

Thanks so much one example. I give them a piece of my mind. One of your classes

[@m.manifi9132]

Wow! Incredible! Is it an "a" sound? It sure is. Thanks so much Emma for all the valuable information. I really love you and your episodes. Thanks again mam. Wow!

[@allans.duarte34]

Thanks a lot, teacher Emma!

[@csaito64]

great lesson ! simple but true.

[@youngkim5275]

Emma, Thank you. Your lesson is very very great!

[@Frankexplorer1986]

Thank you Miss Emma. I liked this video so much. I’ve always said this word (of) like “ov”. I really want to practice now. Hehe thank you. The last sentence “Ottawa is north of Toronto” is the hardest for me. I will practice saying it slowly. :)

[@loganregina9789]

I’m native English (Midwest America) and I won’t say “A lot of it”, it will be more like “a lot o VIT”

[@TheKingNaupaleon]

how about "foot of a tall" ??

[@tonyrela1493]

Thank you Emma, as Always 🌹

[@juliosamueldossantos2932]

Ooh great teach! I've been listening

[@sergiorodrigues8659]

Great Emma. Thank you.

[@inhtran8837]

Thank you for spending time teach me.

[@user-nq7wc6ij6m]

Sometimes creators make something for favoured personalities or the limited circle of persons. But here we can see the good lessons for everyone.

[@chenkevin8816]

Thanks for teaching.

[@junior44029]

Great lesson . Thank You.

[@rose-marlinesidney4896]

Very very good. Wow. I couldn't imagine how far I was to pronounce this word haha. Thanks a lot 🎉

[@user-vt2nf6yt7m]

Thank You Dr. Emma.

[@CristianDiaz-vm3kn]

I like to improve my English watching your videos. Thank you!

[@marcio_]

Hello, Emma. You're amazing teacher! I have been learning a lot of with you. May you make a class to explain how can we use infinitive without "TO" and with "ING". For exemple: 1) I like to cook on Saturday. 2) I like cooking on Saturday. 3) i hate to get up early. 4) i hate getting up early. 5) i love to eat pizza. 6)i love eating pizza. Are there the same mean in that sentences? I hope you can help me. See u.

[@jevanerin200]

Thank you very much Emma. Now I know how to pronounce it in natural way like a native speaker.

[@DouglaXMiguel]

Great video! Today I am happy because I learned a few more through that your awesome class.

[@arts4152]

Hello I'm not Canadian but l like your lesson every time I appreciated you because you are good teacher for me may God bless you

[@Sarah-up5vt]

The video is very helpful, thanks a lot :)

[@k.padhikari9917]

Nice lesson ,thank you ma am .

[@denisafilip9193]

Thank you Emma! :-) You´re amazing.

[@bbdidijuju]

Hello, I'm beginner. Your lessons are excellent. Congratulations from Brazil!!!

[@tamalhossain1740]

thank you so much emma...

[@stanleyman4100]

Hi Emma great lesson

[@paristv8513]

Hi Emma, I follow your videos. I wanted to give this feedback privately but since inbox message is not available on youtube, I have to share my point of view the English pronunciation you thought about the preposition "of" is actually not a standard English, which means it's local usage. But the rest of explanation you taught was really helpful. Thanks again :)

[@Like-gx5fv]

Thank you! Hi from Kazakhstan!😊

[@fouadredaahmed4244]

Thank you for your efforts 😊

[@giuseppemello4506]

thanks from Brasil

[@MiguelMGraziottin]

Great tip! Than you very very much!

[@tusharbhalerao5345]

Thank u Emma ..!! Super pronunciation session. .!! U got a lovely smile ..very welcoming..!!

[@develo777]

Excelent! I love it 😍

[@chellakarthikeyan5243]

really a GREAT JOB EMMA

[@rogeriochavier5772]

Thanks, you're great!

[@philippesarciaux2884]

THANK YOU EMMA FOR YOUR AMAZING LESSONS OF ENGLISH. I BECAME FUN OF ENGVIB. GOOD JOB.

[@LLOPEZJF]

Thank you Teacher.....this was anhoter useful lesson !!

[@mrszm5709]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@emersoms]

Great video! Thanks!

[@Alonzofunez]

Thanks a lot teacher. Very interesting class.

[@cctscraftworld7146]

Thanks a lot. Your pronunciation lesson is great.

[@leocastellanos3405]

Thank you you are the best !

[@ainihasyim6729]

thanks for the lessons

[@zhewang6680]

Thank you, really helps.

[@josecampo6108]

GOD bless you Emma. I finally understand why I didn´t hear the world "of" from native speakers (american) in movies, radio and even in english learning videos. I love you. You´re my favorite teacher. Ujujuju !!!!

[@tungmai2833]

Thank you, it's amazing

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Thanks for your help

[@pandus12]

my language grow up fast with video of emma .

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Thanks Emma!

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thank you for your time teacher Emma

[@khybermomand4061]

Thank you for your best lesson

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Hello, Emma. You are really good Teacher!

[@b.b.b.a.a.a2414]

Thank you so much teacher Emma

[@Mauricio-oq1tm]

a lotta thanks for you, Gemma!!! XD

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Tanks a lot EMMA..

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Thanks for this lesson

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I'm very pleased with your work teacher Emma thank.

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Thank you Emma

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Thank you. Good video.

[@ernestohernandezcampero8217]

Thanks Emma,so good

[@kobgira]

Thanks a lot!! That was very useful! 🌼🌼🌼

[@samukavieira3226]

Excellent lesson. Tks