194. How to pronounce PULL and POOL

194. How to pronounce PULL and POOL

Author: Hadar Shemesh February 11, 2022 Duration: 7:52

English words can be really confusing sometimes.
In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names.
This week we're going to talk about the minimal pair, 'pool' and 'pull'.

Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode:
pool: puwl [IPA: puːl]
food: fuwd [IPA: fuːd]
you: yuw [IPA: yuː]
who'd: huwd [IPA: huːd]
kook: kuwk [IPA: kuːk]
Luke: luwk [IPA: luːk]
fruit juice: fruwt djuws [IPA: fruːt dʒuːs]

pull: pul [IPA: pʊl]
foot: fut [IPA: fʊt]
cook: kuk [IPA: kʊk]
look: luk [IPA: lʊk]
book: buk [IPA: bʊk]
cookie: ku-kee [IPA: kʊki]
hood: hud [IPA: hʊd]

You can watch the video version here: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/pool-pull/


If you want to improve your accent and understand spoken English better, download my free American Accent audio crash course: https://hadarshemesh.com/audio-accent-course/
You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://theaccentsway.com/mispro-signup/
Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://hadarshemesh.com/influency-community/


Hadar Shemesh hosts The InFluency Podcast, drawing from her own journey from an intermediate English speaker to a recognized pronunciation expert and fluency coach. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical, empathetic guide for anyone who feels stuck in their language learning. Hadar's conversations and solo episodes delve into the tangible strategies that actually work for acquiring an American accent, building unshakeable confidence, and moving beyond textbook English to authentic, fluid speech. You'll hear a blend of mindset shifts, technical pronunciation breakdowns, and stories from a global community of learners. The focus is always on the human side of fluency-how it connects to identity, courage, and communication. Each episode of this podcast feels like a direct coaching session, offering actionable steps that address the real frustrations and aspirations of students and teachers alike. Hadar's approach demystifies the process, making the path to speaking English with assurance feel not only possible but deeply personal. Tune in for a resource that understands the journey because the host has lived it, creating a space where progress is celebrated over perfection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 508

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