Uploaded March 2012 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
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Today's Pronunciation Quick Fix was suggested by a good friend and colleague who is based in Malaysia, Marianna Pascal. She is the author of the best-selling English Fast and Easy series, so if you haven't heard about her, be sure to check her out on Facebook! (For more information on Marianna Pascal's English Fast & Easy series, visit her Facebook page: facebook.com/pages/English-Fast-Easy/143350989041499 )
Marianna wrote to me and said that she thought a great word for one of my "quick fixes" would be PROBABLY.
Probably is 3 syllables with word stress on the first syllable, PRO.
There is vowel reduction in the second syllable, 'buh'. Pro-buh-blee.
There are some common errors with this word. Native speakers sometimes cut this word down to 2 syllables instead of 3, saying PRO-blee instead of PRO-buh-blee. This isn't the clearest pronunciation of the word, so I would always suggest to clearly articulate all three syllables.
Let's use this word in a few sentences:
We can probably come to the party on Saturday.
You probably don't need to buy two of those.
I think she's probably getting sick.
There you have it! Probably - in under 60 seconds.
If you'd like to learn more about clear speech and pronunciation, please visit me at englishpronunciationcourse.com and sign up for my free, 8-part Pronunciation Short Course.
I'll see you there!
Visit englishpronunciationcourse.com to register for the FREE, 8-part Pronunciation Short Course!
Today's Pronunciation Quick Fix was suggested by a good friend and colleague who is based in Malaysia, Marianna Pascal. She is the author of the best-selling English Fast and Easy series, so if you haven't heard about her, be sure to check her out on Facebook! (For more information on Marianna Pascal's English Fast & Easy series, visit her Facebook page: facebook.com/pages/English-Fast-Easy/143350989041499 )
Marianna wrote to me and said that she thought a great word for one of my "quick fixes" would be PROBABLY.
Probably is 3 syllables with word stress on the first syllable, PRO.
There is vowel reduction in the second syllable, 'buh'. Pro-buh-blee.
There are some common errors with this word. Native speakers sometimes cut this word down to 2 syllables instead of 3, saying PRO-blee instead of PRO-buh-blee. This isn't the clearest pronunciation of the word, so I would always suggest to clearly articulate all three syllables.
Let's use this word in a few sentences:
We can probably come to the party on Saturday.
You probably don't need to buy two of those.
I think she's probably getting sick.
There you have it! Probably - in under 60 seconds.
If you'd like to learn more about clear speech and pronunciation, please visit me at englishpronunciationcourse.com and sign up for my free, 8-part Pronunciation Short Course.
I'll see you there!
