LANGUAGE CORNER

COMMONLY MISPRONOUNCED WORDS

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Word and pronunciation Correct IPA notation
1. generation
The word is often mispronounced as geh-nuh-ray-shen ʤɛnəˈreɪʃᵊn
The correct pronunciation is jeh-nuh-ray-shn.
KIA has launched a new generation of KIA Carnival.
2. nephew
The word is often mispronounced as neh-pheu. nɛˈfju
The correct pronunciation is neh-fyu.
My nephew Carl, is only two years younger than me.
3. steak
The word is often mispronounced as stik. steɪk
The correct pronunciation is steyk.
I like my steak medium rare, please.
4. university
The word is often mispronounced as oo-ni-ver-ci-tee. juːnɪˈvɜːsəti
The correct pronunciation of the words yoo-nuh-vuh-suh-tee.
Mardiah is reading law at University Malaya.
5. athlete
The word is often mispronounced as a-tuh-leet. ˈæθliːt
The correct pronunciation of the word is ath-leet.
The athlete won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 100m event.
6. extraordinary
The word is often mispronounced as ek-struh-aw-duh-nuh-ree. ɪkˈstrɔːdᵊnᵊri
The correct pronunciation of the word is ik-straw-duh-ne-ree.
Hercules had extraordinary strength.
7. tuition
The word is often mispronounced as tyoo-shun. tjuˈɪʃᵊn
The correct pronunciation of the word is tyu-i-shun.
Nowadays, students in Malaysia attend a lot of tuition classes.
8. hours
The word is often mispronounced as hau-uhz. aʊəz
The correct pronunciation of the word is au-uhz.
How many hours do you spend playing video games in a day?
9. vegetable
The word is often mispronounced as ve-ji-tay-bl. vɛˈʤtʌbɚl
The correct pronunciation of the word is vej-tuh-bl.
Is tomato a vegetable?
10. quay
The word is often mispronounced as kway. kiˈ
The correct pronunciation of the word is kee.
Tourists love taking photos of the colourful boats bobbing along the quay.
11. Wednesday
The word is often mispronounced as Wed-nes-day. ˈwɛnzdeɪ
The correct pronunciation of the word is Wenz-day.
We’ll be flying off to the Maldives on Wednesday.
12. often
The word is often mispronounced as oft-ten. ˈɒfᵊn
The correct pronunciation of the word is o-fen.
It often rains in June.
13. abalone
The word is often mispronounced as ah-buh-lon. æbəˈləʊn
The correct pronunciation of the word is a-buh-low-nee
Abalone is a marine gastropod mollusk.
14. film
The word is often mispronounced as fee-lum. fɪlm
The correct pronunciation of the word is fihlm.
Film cameras are making a comeback.

© Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd. L1

 Definition: Words that have the same sound, but different
HOMOPHONES spelling.

Word and meaning Example in a sentence

1. (a) son – a male child in a family Aiman is the eldest son in his family.

(b) sun – the star round which the earth orbits We sat on the edge of a cliff and watched the sun go down.

2. (a) marry – to join in marriage My uncle plans to marry his sweetheart next year.

(b) merry – feeling of joy, happiness Merry laughter could be heard at the party.

3. (a) meat – flesh of an animal I’m having a hard time chewing this piece of meat.

(b) meet – to arrange or happen to come into the

Anson and Lisa arranged to meet for dinner.
company of (a person(s)

4. (a) ate – (past tense of ‘eat’) – to put something

into one’s mouth and swallow it. The boys ate eight chicken drumsticks between them.
(b) eight – a number after 7 and before 9.

5. (a) creek – a stream Months of drought left the creek dry.

(b) creak – a harsh sound when something heavy

Ally could hear the floorboards creak as she walked on them.
is being moved

6. (a) clique – a small close-knit group The association is run by a small clique of residents.

(b) click – a short, sharp sound (like a switch

There was a click as the door shut.
being used)

7. (a) overseas – in a foreign country across the sea Naveen has lived overseas for a number of years.

(b) oversees – to supervise My mom oversees the daily operations of her restaurant.

8. (a) sail – travel in a boat for sport or recreation We will sail in a southeast direction to reach the harbour.

(b) sale – the exchange of commodity for money The year-end sale starts next month.

9. (a) weather – the general condition of the

There is a chance of extreme weather in the coming months.
atmosphere

I didn’t know whether to bring a raincoat or an umbrella for our hike,

(b) whether – if or not
so I brought both.

10. (a) hire – to request temporary use for payment It was a good decision to hire a guide for our caving expedition.

(b) higher – above, greater or larger When you see a tsunami approaching, climb to higher ground.

11. (a) course – a series of lectures/lessons in a

I’m planning to sign up for a first-aid course.
particular qualification

The carpenter used a sandpaper to smoothen the coarse surface

(b) coarse – rough, not smooth
of the wood.

12. (a) byte – unit of data that is eight binary digits

A byte is a group containing 8 bits.
long

(b) bite – use teeth to cut into something Don’t bite your nails!

13. (a) bass – lowest male adult singing voice. Ho Chin sings bass in the choir.

(b) base – a group of people supporting a

Taylor Swift has a loyal fan base.
person, organization etc.

14. Many countries offered emergency aid to Taiwan

(a) aid – to help someone
after the earthquake.

(b) aide – assistant / helper A hospice aide assists patients in completing their daily tasks.

© Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd. L2

 Definition: Words that have the same sound, same spelling but
HOMONYMS different meanings.

Word and meaning Example in a sentence

1. (a) row – a line of seats That’s my grandfather in the front row.

(b) row – to propel a boat with oars You need oars to row the boat.

2. (a) ruler – a leader or head of a country or

Ramses II was a prominent ruler in ancient Egypt.
government

(b) ruler – a straight strip made of wood,

You can draw a straight line with a ruler.
metal etc. used for drawing lines.

3. (a) bar – a flat long piece of wood, metal,

I’ll get a chocolate bar to nibble on later.
chocolate

(b) bar – to prohibit or prevent The authorities will bar anyone from entering the abandoned
factory.

4. (a) bank - land alongside a river or lake The hikers set up camp along the riverbank.

(b) bank – a financial establishment I need to go to the bank to withdraw some money.

5. (a) ring – a circular band made of metal worn

The bride wore a 3-carat diamond ring on her finger.
on a finger.

(b) ring – an enclosure for sports like boxing The spectators gathered around the ring to watch the boxers.

6. (a) capital – city or town that functions as the

What is the capital city of Brunei?
administrative center of a country

(b) capital – letter of the alphabet in upper case Write your names down in capital letters.

7. (a) light – make/start/ignite (a fire) Campers often light a fire to keep wild animals at bay.

(b) light – not heavy This pillow is as light as a feather.

8. (a) sign – a gesture to convey information Are you familiar with deaf sign language?

(b) sign – write one’s name on something Sign your name on the dotted line.

9. (a) bat – a sports equipment with a solid

Ben swung his bat and hit the ball.
surface used for hitting

(b) bat – a nocturnal flying mammal A lone bat flew out of the barn at dusk.

10. (a) glasses – a pair of lenses set in frame

Anya and Hans put on 3D glasses when they went on the
resting on nose to correct defective
Transformers dark ride.
eyesight or enhance vision.

(b) glasses – drinking containers made from

I poured some orange juice into the glasses.
glass

11. (a) date – a social appointment Fred took his girlfriend on a date by the harbour.

(b) date – day of the month by number What’s today’s date?

12. (a) pool – a small area of still water Harjit took a swim in the pool.

(b) pool – put money into a common fund Let’s pool our money to buy a new TV.

13. (a) park – a large public garden for recreation The children play in the park every evening.

(b) park – bring a vehicle to a halt Park your car at the designated area.

14. (a) lie – to give false statements I have never told a lie in my entire life.

(b) lie – to assume a horizontal resting position You’ll get a sunburn if you lie in the sun too long.

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 IDIOMS Definition: phrases or expressions where its meaning cannot simply be
interpreted by just looking at the individual words in the phrases.

Word and meaning Example in a sentence

1. black sheep – typically refers to a family member who Rowan, who is always getting into trouble with the law
has done something that embarrasses the family/ an is the black sheep of the family.
outcast
2. a plum job – a desirable position After slaving away for years, Elisa finally managed to
get a plum job at a famous eatery.
3. cut corners – doing something cheaply and as quickly The building collapsed because the company cut
as possible often compromising quality. corners on materials and time when it was under
construction.
4. dicing with death – to do something very dangerous. You’ll be dicing with death if you think of swimming in
shark infested waters.
5. have a ball – to enjoy one’s self to the fullest. Bee Jun, Rahman and Vivek are going to have a ball
playing video games all day long after the exams.
6. digital native – one who grew up in the digital Gen Z kids are digital natives when it comes to all
technology age. things tech.
7. up for grabs – available to anyone Five tickets to New Jeans concert are up for grabs
tonight.
8. pick one’s brain – to ask someone who knows a lot Why don’t you pick Taib’s brain on how to build a
about a subject for information. robot?

Definition: A popular saying that expresses an established fact

PROVERBS or truth, often used to give advice to another person.
Word and meaning Example in a sentence
1. absence makes the heart grow fonder – when you are After a year away from my family, I really miss them. It’s
away from a loved one, you will miss them more. true when people say, absence makes the heart grow
fonder.
2. too many cooks spoil the broth – if too many people Our science presentation went awry because we had
are tasked with one job, it’ll not turn out well. too many people in our group. As the saying goes, too
many cooks spoil the broth.
3. don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today - It's a good idea to start doing our project today. Mum
don't procrastinate, do something immediately if you can always tells me not to put off until tomorrow what I can
do today.
4. a chain is only as strong as the weakest link – a group Everyone should pitch in and give it their all, for a chain
is only as strong as its weakest member. Therefore, if is only as strong as the weakest link.
one person doesn’t give it his all, the whole group would
suffer.
5. charity begins at home – one should help with the Dania spends her money helping her friends but she
needs of those closest to them before trying to help neglects her own children. Doesn’t she know that char-
others. ity begins at home?
6. no pain, no gain – it is often necessary to work hard to If you want to win the tournament, you’ve got to
succeed. practise. No pain, no gain, remember?
7. a stitch in time saves nine – solving a problem earlier You’d better get your old car checked before travelling.
may save more time later. As you know, a stitch in time saves nine.
8. to err is human, to forgive divine – it’s human nature Macy has wronged you numerous times, but be the
to make mistakes, but forgiving someone who has better person. Just forgive her; as they say, to err is
wronged you is godlike. human, to forgive divine.

© Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd. L4