English Pronunciation: How to say words beginning in W + vowel

Have you noticed anything strange about short words beginning with W? Some of them (but not all) have a different vowel sound from words with a similar spelling. For example, “car” and “war” have a different vowel sound, but “day” and “way” have the same vowel sound. Say them out loud if you are uncertain of what I mean. How do you know what vowel sound comes after the W? Don’t worry, because in this lesson, I will clear up the confusion and show you exactly how to pronounce them. I’ll give you some examples of these words, and I will demonstrate the pronunciation, allowing you to practise with me. You can also take a quiz on this lesson at https://www.engvid.com/english....-pronunciation-words

NEXT, watch these three other pronunciation lessons:
1. Pronunciation – How to say words ending with -OW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lc7pucsco4&list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUdXCO23ICAF0H3N9c35SWfv&index=7

2. Pronunciation – TH & THR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPIOxYtguhk&list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUdXCO23ICAF0H3N9c35SWfv&index=12

3. Pronunciation – The 2 ways to pronounce 'THE': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3zMxYQC0TM&list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUdXCO23ICAF0H3N9c35SWfv&index=15

TRANSCRIPT

Hello. I'm Gill at engVid, and today we have a lesson on pronunciation which is connected with the letter "w", and how in some words, which are usually very short words, the "w" makes a difference to the vowel sound. Okay. So, it's worth knowing about these, and also to know that there are exceptions as well. So, some words this happens; other words it doesn't happen, so it helps to know which ones are which, which ones change the vowel sound and which ones don't change the vowel sound. Okay, so let's have a look at some examples.

So, these short words, they all have the same vowel sound, so: "bad", "dad", "had", "lad", "mad", "sad" have the "ah" vowel sound. I'll explain the meanings of the words in a minute, but when you come to "w", it's not pronounced: "wad"; it's pronounced "wod", so it's like an "o": "wo" sound. "ah", "o". So, the "w" changes the vowel sound. Okay.

So, let me just go over that again. So, you probably know the word "bad". "Dad" is an informal name for a father. Your father, you might call them: "Dad" or "Daddy". So: "bad", "dad". "Had" - past tense of "have". "Lad" is another slightly informal word for a boy; a young boy or a young man. A lad. "Mad" is if you're angry or if you're crazy; it can mean both. "Mad" in two different ways. And "sad" if you're feeling... If you're feeling sad, you're unhappy. I'm sure you know that word. Okay.

Oh, and then this word: "wad" is a strange word, but it means a collection, usually of either pieces of paper or maybe a piece of material in a lump. So, you might have a wad of money, for example. If you have some bank notes, paper money and you have a lot of them in your hand, so 20 or more and it's quite a thick... You'd say: "It's a thick wad of money." Or if you have some cloth in your hand, you could say: "That's a wad of cloth." Okay. So, it's a strange word, but it's quite useful sometimes. So... Okay, so: "bad", "dad", "had", "lad", "mad", "sad", "wad". Right.

So, next one, so this is the "ah" vowel sound: "ban", "can", "man", "ran", "tan", "van". But when we come to this, it's: "wan", "wan". So, it's the same vowel sound as "wad"; "wad", "wan", "wan". So, I'll explain the meanings of the words as well.

"Ban" - when you ban something, you try to stop it happening. "Can", it's either I can do something or it's a metal can container for a drink or whatever; a tin can for food or drink. "Man", I'm sure you know. "Ran" - the past tense of "run". "Tan". If you go on holiday and your skin gets browner... My skin is very light-coloured. If... If I go somewhere hot and sunny and I get browner, a browner skin, that's called a "tan", a "sun tan". Okay.

And a "van" - a vehicle that people drive; bigger than a car. A van. So... And then this one: "wan" is... Means pale. So, again, if you think of pale skin, that's "wan". If someone looks very pale and ill, they look wan. It suggests someone who's not really looking well because they're so pale. Okay. So: "ban", "can", "man", "ran", "tan", "van", "wan". So, the vowel sound changes. Okay?

So, next one we've got: "bar". So, this is the "ah" sound. "Bar", "car", "far", "jar", "tar", but then we have "war". So, it's an "aw" sound. Okay. So: "bar" is a... Is a bar; a metal... Piece of metal... A metal rod, or a bar in a cocktail bar or a pub, a wine bar. So, different meanings of that word: "bar".

A "car" that you drive. "Far" - a long way; distance. A "jar" is a container. "Tar" is... It's short for "tarmac", which is the black stuff that is put on, on the road usually; a covering for the road. The tar; black, sticky stuff that just dries and goes hard - that's tar. […]