The most commonly confused and mispronounced words in English (ESSENTIAL LESSON!)

Learn how to pronounce the difference between commonly confused and mispronounced word pairs in English. Learn the difference between want and won't, bear and beer, year and ear, can and can't, as well as word and world (and many more!).
👉👉 Book a lesson on Preply and use the code "EMMA" for 50% off your first lesson: preply.com/go/emma
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This video uses Modern Received Pronunciation as the pronunciation model.
🎁 Get your free English Pronunciation Pack (free audios, stories, lessons and activities to get your started with English pronunciation!): bit.ly/pronunciationpack
📃 Download your free British English Phonemic Chart: bit.ly/freebritishphonemicchart
🥳 Join Emma's Pronunciation Hub (get everything you need to improve your English pronunciation inside my online membership: courses.pronunciationwithemma...
// RELATED & MENTIONED VIDEOS
Sentence stress: • Sentence Stress and In...
Word vs World: • How to Pronounce "Worl...
Light and Dark L: • The Light L /l/ and Da...
(please don't watch!!) Bear, beer, bird, beard: • How to Pronounce Bear,...
Assimilation: • Assimilation with /j/ ...
Vowel+vowel connected speech: • The Complete Guide to ...
Glottal stop: • How to Pronounce the G...
TH sounds pronunciation: • How to PRONOUNCE TH SO...
Can vs can't: • How to Pronounce CAN a...
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - intro
00:56 - private lessons (Preply)
02:10 - loose and lose
03:32 - want and won't
04:44 - advice and advise
06:29 - bear and beer
09:24 - wonder and wander
11:23 - boat and bought
13:10 - this and these
15:02 - year and ear
17:11 - can and can't
19:46 - word and world
23:08 - quiz time!
24:12 - outro
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// IMPORTANT
Any links containing amzn.to are affiliate links and I earn commission through these links.
I teach using just one of many accents in the world. Please only learn it if you like it and if you are interested in learning it. I do not believe there is one “correct” accent or manner of pronunciation and I fully encourage EFL/ESL learners to expose themselves to as many varieties of English around the world to become accustomed to the beautiful variations of this world language. I focus mostly on teaching “Modern RP” (I may just say “RP” in my older videos, but to clarify, I do specifically mean “Modern RP”), however, you will hear a lovely little Yorkshire twang to my accent from time to time too. Please LOVE and BE PROUD of your accent. After all, it is part of your identity and makes you unique. 💚
Thank you Preply for sponsoring this video! :)
#englishpronunciation #englishteacher #englishlesson

[@yougoog1]

Dear Teacher Emma! You must be born to be a teacher. You are absolutely one of the best teachers I have ever seen. There was one time my boss talked to me, and I was not sure the word she said was “can” or “can’t”. I asked her how to tell the difference in pronunciation between these two words. She said the difference was so obvious and it should be easy to tell the difference. She then pronounced these two words for me, but they still sounded similar to me and I still could not tell the difference for sure. She must pronounce them correctly because she was an American. I thought there must be a problem with me as I could not hear the difference. I didn’t tell my boss I still could not tell the difference and just let this matter go. It has been more ten years going by since that time. Although I have never run into another situation where I needed to tell the difference of these two words, I always think I would never be able to tell their pronunciation difference. When I need to use can’t, I always pronounce it into two words ‘can not’. I always think the difference in their pronunciation is the same except can’t needs to add the sound ‘t’ at the end in its pronunciation. I am so glad today I watched your video and finally know how to pronounce them correctly and tell the difference. Thank you so much for your wonderful teaching that resolved one mystery in my life.

[@hamzahamid8549]

Thank you Emma❤️

[@mohamedaguezlane4203]

Hi emma

[@MahmoudMansour-nw8xn]

Thank you Emma for this rich lesson. it's the first time for me to notice the difference between wonder and wander I've usually mixed them together. I used to say them wrong with confidence but now I know the difference.

[@abdulahmoula7196]

Emma, l have digested all the words you uttered and have put them in sentences perfectly; I don't want your prize of one million pounds, but rather take you as the most beautiful English teacher of all, with a unique style of teaching English.🌹❤️

[@GabrielRodriguesYT]

You not only teach English, but you also teach how to teach. I love these little analogies you draw to make it easier for students. 🌹

[@flerte]

Uau… I like you! I’m a Brazilian who lives in the US trying to improve my English and you can help me a lot. Thank you ❤

[@merganaliev9755]

Hi hope your English is good enough and can practice together

[@edgardoarnal5697]

Dear Ema: My own study of English would have been so much easier if I had been taught by a TEACHER like you. Your lessons have been extremely helpful foy my own classes. My students want even to replace ME!!

[@user-nj2py9rb7b]

Your classes are quite enjoyable. So good of you.

[@kurianmx6646]

Thanks a lot for the splendid lesson. The subtle nuances of pronunciation have been clearly depicted. Cheers!

[@ashikihsan1946]

Hello Emma, Sometimes I'm also mispronouncing these words and thank you Emma for teaching me how to pronounce these words. You are my best English teacher

[@juliabarbiero9226]

The image of kneeding dough for long vowels is fantastic. Thank you! A hug from Entre Ríos, Argentina 🌻

[@ttotto8572]

Your accent is very clear, making it easy for foreigners like me to understand.

[@tacettin037]

Thanks to you, I realized that English has such a rich linguistic structure. All the best to you, Mrs. Emma❤

[@irisba9782]

Thank you for the video, the biggest challenge for me was definitely wonder Vs wander. I have always pronounced them the way they are written, but now I have to work on switching it in my brain and while speaking. I'd like to mention that the first word in the quiz is supposed to be 'lose' instead of 'loose' as there was a clear "z" sound at the end of your pronunciation.

[@beneditosilva2789]

Porfavor mediga que pretende comigo diga

[@beneditosilva2789]

Quero que vc pense sorDeus meu melhor comentário sor pode cer esse faser tudo pela minha salvação essa minha vontade vou chegar lar querendo meu paimem

[@jessicalopes6097]

You're the best, Emma! Love your lessons!

[@Kheangputhyra]

Hi , Teacher I ‘m from Cambodia , I really love your teaching and speaking 🙏🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭

[@samsaf2sisters681]

Thank you.This lesson helped me a lot.

[@laurachiar6086]

Dear Teacher Emma, thank you for posting this precious video. Scored 9/10. I missed that 'loose' at the beginning. I thought it was 'lose'! Thank you for giving us those references in addition, I mean, all those tips about assimilation, intrusion. It's not only a simple video about how to pronounce a single word and the pair of words that cause troubles in understanding. It's more than this. One single lesson which can briefly but crucially contain other lessons about pronunciation and definition of words in context. You're precious and dedicated as always! 🙏

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

I'm happy it was so helpful :)

[@MyNameIsNeutron]

It was definitely "lose."

[@laurachiar6086]

@@MyNameIsNeutron Are you a native speaker? I stumbled across just one of your videos. You do sound American, don't you? Thank you for your feedback!🙏

[@md.saddatmollikshyamol8399]

@@Pronunciationwithemma Take my love.I want to talk to you.I'm from Bangladesh.

[@user-zb8fx6bs7m]

@@MyNameIsNeutron your right

[@muhammadnasir6530]

Hey Emma, you're awesome, i really inspired from your teaching techniques. Thanks. Keep it up.

[@sumansribkk1298]

Thank you so much for your good English pronunciation lesson. You are a good English teacher

[@GatotSunyoto-qi2qe]

You are right sis, I myself feel so complicated how differebcuate in pronouncing can can't. Thank you so much for vlarificayion sis.

[@benji_31]

Thank you for this lesson Emma! I'm watching it from Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan. 🇰🇬 It was really useful. Some of them I did know. Or Knew. 💜 U're perfect! ❤❤❤

[@lifeisbasketball77]

Hi emma your video helps me a lot . So impormative . Is there any possible to enhance the way you listen when someone is fluent in english?

[@fioresepaolo2783]

You are wonderful as always. These lessons are necessaries for understanding your language. Thanks a lot.

[@engin7787]

What a lovely teacher and what a lovely lesson. Thank you for the lesson!

[@mdkamrul4402]

every lesson is very helping for me.

[@sudrajatkartayuda2141]

Thanks a lot Emma...U're improving my english pronunciation..U're really kind person..keep healtht nd fresh....❤

[@anahibaum]

Really wonderful class!!!!! I was surprised by how you managed your tongue you pronounced the L when you said Love as well.

[@trinhkimtuyen439]

Love this video so much! So helpful.

[@user-st7jl2mu6i]

Excellent teacher, congratulations.

[@miftahulfattah3039]

Hello Teacher Emma, I'm from Indonesia. I feel helped because of your this video. I want to thank you and I can distinguish the pronunciation of those words that you explain it. ☺

[@sherlock2472]

you're a natural teacher. Love your videos

[@sandraarganaraz8187]

Emma, thanks so much !! This lesson is very useful. ❤

[@daagbma6778]

Love your lesson, Emma ❤

[@rainymg]

(Year, Ear), (Wonder, Wander) were the challenging pairs for me! Isn't there a difference in pronouncing the first pair in MRP vs RP? Additionally, wasn't it a mistake to check the word Loose instead of Lose? I mean, I can definitely hear a voiced 'z' sound! Thank you very much for the video!!

[@hni7458]

See my comment above Mohammed, it's a maze. Surely Emma knows what she said.

[@user-jw8bd4ie2w]

Emma iam Hamid from Iraq 🇮🇶 you are my favorite teacher

[@Hayarjane]

Why because she beautiful 🤣🤣🤣

[@user-jw8bd4ie2w]

@@Hayarjane because when she beautiful I can understanding

[@boyetem7321]

​@@user-jw8bd4ie2wwho cares! 🙄🙄

[@user-jw8bd4ie2w]

@@boyetem7321 you are cares

[@MdAsfathUllah]

hi Hamid! Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@nageswararaokonthili9294]

Well explained. Thank you

[@TheMaurobala]

Lovely and very useful lesson!! Many, many thanks!! Of course I need to watch it many times to fix the differences, but that'll be a pleasure.

[@stefanoferretti2504]

This, theese, I really appreciate that you focus on the second and (for me) the most important detail . In the word "this" the vowel is shorter and totally different than the "ee" in the word "theese" . Almost every native English speaker say that is just short. Like sheep and ship, sheet and s_it. Thank you

[@user-zt4zi6ns8g]

Hello your lessons is better to me thank you for that

[@faisalee]

Beautiful lesson as always 😊

[@alihasnain3882]

Emma I love your way of teaching ,your smiling face boost our energy to learnt energetically 😊 thanks for helping us ,iam new in UK and facing a big trouble to understand the accent,hope I Will improve with your lesson

[@ElioenaiBraz]

obrigado por me ajudar, realmente esse método e muito eficaz,amo suas aulas obrigado

[@legaland]

I'm from London but not central London which is the middle of london which has all those famous landmarks but I live so close to it that I can see it all from tall buildings, England has lots of accent ,not only the posh one that people associate with us although some Americans I know has said I sound a bit posh but majority of the older English people I've met has an accent similar to Scottish people and most British people swear alot ,we might like tea but we swear like Australians

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Probably worse than Aussies too, tbf!

[@kunwarumesh7424]

Emma you are amazing 🎉 great job thank you so much

[@oswteran]

Thank you for the lesson!

[@tk-gi2ju]

The best lesson on pronunciation ever. I love this channel. Thank you, sensei Emma!

[@datoming]

Thank you for the new grammatical phonetical terminologies, which weren’t being taught that much when I was in school. One thought that I have from enjoying your video is that you explain “bought” as the past tense of “buy” as in to exchange something for money. How differently would you explain the verb to sell? How does “to exchange money for something” differ from the above? BTW, I’ve got 10 out of 10 but took slightly longer to pick the correct answer of “wonder”.

[@aneyshaaggarwal2902]

'BUYING' is when you 'get a product in exchange for money' and 'SELLING' is when you 'get money in exchange for a product'. So a shopkeeper would sell products and a customer would buy them. You can say they are opposites. Hope this helps!

[@muhammadshaikh6307]

👍 This video useful for learners, I appreciate it.

[@eustaquiozambrano2974]

Thank you so much. Brilliant teacher 👍 Have a nice weekend.

[@user-hz1xo4wy5z]

Hey Madam,your teaching is marvellous. 🎉

[@madewinasa7297]

You are the most dynamic teacher I've ever known. You differenciate every pair of words very clearly. I enjoy to follow your teaching.

[@jayarajubiddika]

Really wonderful Classes for Me Emma..as a iam English language learner... keep it up 👍

[@ssultanzamin8753]

Amazing lesson! Great job.

[@htanpethtan5115]

It's really helpful Emma. Thanks.

[@whoismaia]

Hiking - Caminhada Wonder - Eu me pergunto (verbo) , maravilhoso (adjetivo) Wander - Vagar

[@hercidessilvajunior9539]

I really loved your Channel and your teaching, I've found your Channel by chance and I subscribed for it right away by the way I scored 10 words at that quiz thanks

[@Laland0123]

Thank you so much for your method to learn the English language

[@Maryna2]

My score is 9/10. Thank you for your lesson! It was so nice. I’m satisfied! You’re the best! ❤️

[@ifekharhossain1889]

We can practice in english ?

[@Maryna2]

@@ifekharhossain1889 in which way?

[@WAHEEBERMORSHED]

Thanks a billion Emma. I am waiting for such kinds of videos. You are great.

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Thank you so much! I have a HUGE list so I can make more :)

[@user-fn5bw8nm4h]

Emma the best teacher of pronounciation❤❤

[@mostafaengland1220]

Thank you so much Emma for this useful video have a happy weekend 😊 ❤🎉

[@houssemitalia]

Ps:(i think you'd make the loveliest kids ever one day) , keep up with good work👌✅ may Allah bless & guide u🤲🇵🇸🇩🇿🇵🇸

[@walwalisland08]

Emma, I got 8/10. Thank you for the useful lesson 💘

[@mahabubalam9384]

Respected teacher, really your technique of teaching concerning pronounciation excellent. I got it. Keep well.

[@KakadaSk]

Emma is beautiful teacher and pronunciation is very well

[@rod1rocks2]

Hello! Scored 9/10. I think it's hard to distinguish "wonder" and "wander". I'd like to know about the intrusive "R". Can I use it on speaking test such as IELTS or TOEFL exam? Would the examiners worth it? I think it's a splendid lesson by the way, because I didn't know about intrusive "R" and dark "L". Thanks a bunch!

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

The Intrusive R is a completely natural part of speech.

[@rod1rocks2]

@@Pronunciationwithemma Awesome! I'm going to watch your video about it and get used to it! Thanks!

[@alok6752]

Good one, Emma!! My ear got confused and I'm wondering 🤔 I got 8/10 or 9/10 😂😂

[@alok6752]

@@jennifermorrey7378 Hey jennifer, I don't mind the beauty of mind if it wanders 😅

[@elmostafaelantari9685]

Easy and simple lessons

[@user-zb4ri6df9o]

Dear Emma, you are my best teacher.I'm from Yemen

[@ananyagillanders9382]

Hi Emma, I got 9/10 thanks for your lesson 🙏

[@robertflint2549]

If you pronounce 'can't' and 'world' in the British way then there is no confusing them with 'can' and 'word'.

[@Pronunciationwithemma]

Agreed! American accents are often more confusing.

[@renanlima6434]

Teacher Emma, thank you for explaining so well. May the Lord bless you.

[@ronellchannel7500]

Thank you for the knowledge you have shared. I am happy to learn from you. The way you teach is very good, simple and easy to understand. Thank you again for that teacher 💪👍❤️😁

[@harbilisinaga5179]

Thank your Presentation God Bless You

[@hauhau7372]

Teacher, you are my favorite teacher❤️

[@oscarquinones.]

Hello, I'm Oscar Quiñones, I'm Colombian. I love you British accent!! 😊😊😊, Thank you for you class!

[@vanithagopi-re5vl]

I 'm thank you so much for Emma. I really happy to you send the video.

[@user-io3wm1nm1n]

Awesome class Thankyou for this wonderful class Emma

[@abimanjuarjun]

I love emma and her teaching. Thankyou Emma, regards From Indonesia.

[@yaroslavkey2356]

I have already listened a great deal of different teacher and I would say your pronunciation is very nice and you ❤are the best Thanks for the reasonable explanation. You are really smart.

[@kenibarthssangma9094]

Well done,u r realy great teacher.

[@gautamsawalde797]

Madam, I can't describe your talent, As you you are very excellent

[@QamarHayat-po5mw]

Emma ur way of teaching is superb❤

[@rehmankhattak2001]

wow! never noticed that i am pronouncing some words wrong. thnx. excellent Emma

[@asifawan2793]

Respected, Emma you are a great teacher.... May God bless you....

[@ariellopez12345]

Thank you. I m learning a lot with you. 😊

[@yhlasmuhammetgulyyev2584]

Thanks your wonderful videos teacher Emma I watch your videos every day and I started to get progres 🌷🌷🌷

[@danialdashti9138]

I've got 10 out of 10. Thank you for your lesson and advice 💐

[@clarisaaurelia2828]

excellent n very helpful. thanks, Emma 🙏🤍

[@pepeandrey8243]

Emma is the best teacher for pronounce.❤

[@ritaezekwem5425]

I have learnt a lot from you, Emma. Rita from Nigeria

[@user-tr1vo2ij6k]

Your way of teaching is awesome. 😊

[@armandomoralesporras4297]

Thanks so much dear Emma for your tips and help with the pronunciation in british english, greetings from Peru.

[@uniquenaturebe]

Just the thought of you brightens my afternoon, without you my coffee is useless. Good afternoon 🌄 ☕️ 🙏 Have a wonderful day ♥️ 🌹 🤝 💋 💗 👍 ♥️ 🌹 ✌️💕💓

[@mariacarmenvazquez9058]

Thank you so much Emma, I love your all the tips, so useful.

[@domnicazaharia5983]

Thank you, Emma.

[@kameltlm4271]

Thank you very much for your lesson

[@MDMehediHasan-fz8lq]

Dear Emma I am Mehedi from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 you are my favourite teacher❤

[@arabindasen3]

This lesson is really done so painstakingly. Your learners can grip it so easily. I'm from Kolkata

[@decemberwinter1712]

Thank you, Emma for your help.

[@zoomflash1540]

Thank you a lot teacher Emma 💓

[@MessaoudChemla-mc2io]

Hi dear teacher Emma This lesson is really interesting and crucial,i do appreciate your job,i wish you peace and happiness under the sky of prosperity,all the best. Take care and have a good time. Your Student from Algeria