(And Don’t Even Know It)
We all slip up on tricky words. English is full of silent letters, sneaky stresses, and words that look one way but sound another. Here are some of the most commonly mispronounced words — and how to say them without cringing later.
“Mischievous”
Wrong: miss-CHEE-vee-us
Right: MIS-chuh-vus
There’s no extra syllable hiding in there. It’s three beats, not four.
“Pronunciation”
Ironically, many people say pro-NOUN-ciation, copying the word “pronounce.” But it’s actually:
- ✅ pruh-NUN-see-ay-shun
“Espresso”
No X here — it’s espresso, not ex-presso. Blame it on years of fast-talking coffee orders.
“Et Cetera”
We shorten it to “etc.” and then say it like “ek-setera.” But in classical form, it’s:
- ✅ et SET-er-uh
“Niche”
Depends on where you are. In the US, you’ll hear “nitch” or “neesh.” British English leans heavily on “neesh.” Both are widely accepted now — pick your tribe.
Why We Mispronounce
English borrows words from everywhere: Latin, French, Italian, German. Regional accents also change things. Over time, common “mistakes” become so widespread they’re almost new standards.
Don’t Stress It
Even seasoned writers and speakers slip on these. The important thing is to be curious, learn the real forms, and not feel embarrassed.
