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English Pronunciation

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English pronunciation is how sounds, stress and intonation combine when you speak. English rarely sounds the way it is spelled, so a handful of clear rules makes you far easier to understand.

Free pronunciation guides with clear explanations, short videos and exercises you can do at your own pace. Pick a sound below, learn the rule, then say it out loud until it feels natural.

Vowel sounds

Consonant sounds

Letter combinations and endings

How to use these pronunciation guides

  1. Start with the sound people ask you to repeat. The one that causes confusion in real conversations is worth more than the one that looks easy on paper.
  2. Watch the video, then say the examples out loud. Pronunciation is a physical skill. Hearing the sound is only half the work; your mouth has to make it too.
  3. Record yourself or practise with a teacher. Compare your version to the model, or let an experienced teacher correct you on the spot. That feedback is what fixes a sound for good.

Reading a pronunciation rule is easy; making the sound under pressure is harder. Practise out loud with an experienced native teacher in a free trial lesson, no credit card needed.

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Frequently asked questions

Are these English pronunciation guides free?
Yes. Every pronunciation guide here is free to read and use, including the explanations, videos and exercises. No account or payment is required. Many are sample lessons from the Live English Club, so you can see exactly how we teach.
Why is English pronunciation so hard?
English does not spell words the way it says them. The same letters can make different sounds (“ough” in “though”, “tough” and “through”), and word stress changes meaning. Once you learn the common patterns, the spelling stops being a trap.
Which pronunciation point should I learn first?
Start with the sounds that stop people understanding you, such as the “th” sound and long versus short vowels. Then move to endings like “-ed” and tricky letter groups like “ough”. Pick the sound that causes confusion when you speak, rather than working through the list in order.
How can I improve my accent, not just single sounds?
Individual sounds are the start; stress and intonation carry the rest. Listen to how native speakers stretch and stress syllables, copy short phrases out loud, and practise with a teacher who can correct your rhythm as well as your sounds. Speaking regularly matters more than drilling one sound in isolation.

Key takeaways

  • English is rarely pronounced the way it is spelled, so learn the sound patterns, not the letters.
  • Focus first on the sounds that stop people understanding you, like “th” and vowel length.
  • Every guide is free and includes clear explanations, videos and exercises.
  • Pronunciation is physical: say the examples out loud and get feedback to make a sound stick.

Keep learning

Written and reviewed by the experienced native English teachers at Live English, online since 2007. Many guides are drawn from the pronunciation work in the Live English Club, led by an experienced teacher.