Most Mispronounced Words in TOEFL iBT® Speaking (with Fixes)

Pronunciation mistakes can make even a well-structured response sound unclear in the TOEFL Speaking section. Many students use strong vocabulary but lose marks because of how they say certain words. These errors often go unnoticed in daily speech, but during a test, they can interfere with communication. Improving pronunciation doesn’t mean sounding perfect—it means being understandable and consistent. Let's explore common pronunciation mistakes that learners make and how you can fix them with simple examples.

Most Mispronounced Words in TOEFL Speaking (with Fixes)

Here are some commonly mispronounced words TOEFL test takers struggle with—along with their correct pronunciation and real-sentence examples to help you practise.

1. Entrepreneur

• Correct: /ˌɑːn.trə.prəˈnɜːr/
• Incorrect: on-tre-pre-neur
• Example: She is an entrepreneur working in sustainable technology.

2. Government

• Correct: /ˈɡʌv.ərn.mənt/
• Incorrect: go-ment
• Example: The government introduced new education reforms.

3. Comfortable

• Correct: /ˈkʌmf.tə.bəl/
• Incorrect: com-for-ta-ble
• Example: The chair was soft and comfortable.

4. Environment

• Correct: /ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt/
• Incorrect: en-vie-ron-ment
•  Example: We should protect the environment for future generations.

5. Pronunciation

• Correct: /prəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/
• Incorrect: pro-noun-ciation
• Example: Good pronunciation helps you sound more confident.

6. February

• Correct: /ˈfeb.ruː.er.i/
• Incorrect: feb-u-ary
• Example: My TOEFL exam is in February.

7. Vehicle

• Correct: /ˈviː.ɪ.kəl/
• Incorrect: vee-hicle
• Example: The vehicle was parked near the entrance.

8. Library

• Correct: /ˈlaɪ.brer.i/
• Incorrect: lie-berry
• Example: I study at the library every evening.

9. Debt

• Correct: /det/
• Incorrect: deb-t
• Example: He paid off his student debt in one year.

10. Wednesday

• Correct: /ˈwenz.deɪ/
• Incorrect: wed-nes-day
• Example: The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday.

11. Subtle

• Correct: /ˈsʌt.əl/
• Incorrect: sub-tle
• Example: There was a subtle difference in meaning.

12. Quote

• Correct: /kwoʊt/
• Incorrect: coat
• Example: She ended her essay with a powerful quote.

13. Rural

• Correct: /ˈrʊr.əl/
• Incorrect: roo-ral
• Example: He grew up in a rural village.

14. Colonel

• Correct: /ˈkɝː.nəl/
• Incorrect: co-lo-nel
• Example: His uncle was a colonel in the army.

15. Genre

• Correct: /ˈʒɑːn.rə/
• Incorrect: gen-er
• Example: What genre of movies do you like?

16. Almond

• Correct: /ˈɑː.mənd/
• Incorrect: al-mond
• Example: Almond milk is a great dairy alternative.

17. Suite

• Correct: /swiːt/
• Incorrect: suit
• Example: They stayed in a luxury suite.

18. Hierarchy

• Correct: /ˈhaɪ.rɑːr.ki/
• Incorrect: hi-er-archy
• Example: Many companies have a flat hierarchy.

19. Zoology

• Correct: /zoʊˈɑː.lə.dʒi/
• Incorrect: zoo-ology
• Example: He is studying zoology at university.

20. Chaos

• Correct: /ˈkeɪ.ɑːs/
• Incorrect: chay-oss
• Example: There was chaos at the airport.

21. Plumber

• Correct: /ˈplʌm.ər/
• Incorrect: plum-ber
• Example: The plumber fixed the broken tap.

22. Iron

• Correct: /ˈaɪ.ən/
• Incorrect: ee-ron
• Example: Remember to iron your shirt before the interview.

23. Island

• Correct: /ˈaɪ.lənd/
• Incorrect: is-land
• Example: They went to a quiet island for vacation.

24. Cupboard

• Correct: /ˈkʌb.əd/
• Incorrect: cup-board
• Example: Check the cupboard for the plates.

25. Sword

• Correct: /sɔːrd/
• Incorrect: s-word
• Example: The sword on display was over 200 years old.

26. Recipe

• Correct: /ˈres.ə.pi/
• Incorrect: re-cip-ee
• Example: She followed the recipe exactly.

27. Poem

• Correct: /ˈpoʊ.əm/
• Incorrect: poym
• Example: His poem was published in a university magazine.

28. Development

• Correct: /dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/
• Incorrect: dee-velop-ment
• Example: Urban development has increased in recent years.

29. Asked

• Correct: /æskt/
• Incorrect: ask-ed
• Example: He asked me about my TOEFL experience.

30. Salmon

• Correct: /ˈsæm.ən/
• Incorrect: sal-mon
• Example: Grilled salmon is a healthy meal option.

How to Practise and Improve Your TOEFL Pronunciation Daily

You can fix most pronunciation errors with regular and focused practice. Here are simple methods you can start using today: 

1. Use audio dictionaries: 

Try websites like Cambridge, Oxford, or Merriam-Webster. These have native audio clips in both British and American English. TOEFL follows American English, so make sure you listen to that version.

2. Break difficult words into syllables: 

Start slowly by dividing the word into parts. For example, "comfortable" becomes com-fort-a-ble. Then repeat it until it sounds smooth and natural.

3. Record your voice:

Choose five or ten difficult words. Record yourself saying them. Then listen and compare your version with the native speaker version.

4. Watch pronunciation-focused YouTube channels: 

Channels like Rachel’s English, BBC Learning English, or Speak English with Tiffani provide pronunciation lessons with real-life examples.

5. Practice minimal pairs: 

Minimal pairs are words that differ by just one sound, like "bit" and "beat" or "ship" and "sheep." They help improve your listening and speaking accuracy.

6. Use ChatGPT as your speaking partner:

You can type something like, "Quiz me on TOEFL pronunciation today," and practise with word lists and feedback.

7. Read aloud for 5 minutes daily: 

Use a TOEFL reading passage or short article. Focus on clarity, word stress, and rhythm. Don’t worry about speed—aim to sound smooth and natural.

8. Use shadowing technique: 

Listen to a sentence, pause, and then repeat it exactly as you heard it. This builds rhythm, intonation, and pronunciation naturally over time.

9. Label tricky words in your study notes: 

If a word keeps tripping you up, mark it in your notes and revisit it daily until you get it right.

10. Join speaking groups or language exchange: 

Practising with other learners or fluent speakers can help you improve faster. Join online study groups or use language exchange apps like Tandem or HelloTalk.

I hope this blog helped you identify and fix common pronunciation mistakes that can affect your TOEFL Speaking performance. Speaking clearly is not about having a perfect accent—it’s about being understood. With regular listening, speaking, and practice, you will sound more confident and fluent in your responses. Keep practising, stay consistent, and you’ll see progress every day. Good luck with your TOEFL preparation!

Also Read: 

• Tips to Improve Pronunciation for TOEFL Speaking Section
• Common Pronunciation Challenges for Non-native Speakers
•  Why Watching Movies in English Can Help You Speak Like a Native
• 10 Useful Topics to Practice TOEFL English Speaking Skills
• List of Transition Words to Sound Natural in TOEFL Speaking
• Tips to Improve Sentence Connections in TOEFL Speaking