Urooj Niazi 
The ability to learn How to Pronounce Like correctly is a key step for anyone wanting to improve their English speaking. Use of the word like is quite frequent in every day communication, presentation, and even in business communication. Nevertheless, a lot of learners cannot deal with its proper sound, stress, and sentence usage. There is absolutely no need to sound unnatural and uncertain when speaking the English language, and knowing how to pronounce the likes can make you feel more natural and confident. Here, you will get to know how to pronounce it correctly, the errors to avoid, phonic breakdown, and tips that will help you to memorize this simple but powerful word.
What Does the Word “Like” Mean?
To know how to pronounce like, one should first have a clue about what it means. Like can be verb, preposition, conjunction or filler words. It usually shares similarity, preference or examples. Owing to its frequency, poor pronunciation of it may influence speech fluency and clarity during a conversation.
How to Pronounce Like Correctly
The correct pronunciation of “like” is /laɪk/.
- The “l” sound is soft and clear.
- The “i” sounds like “eye.”
- The “k” sound is sharp and released at the end.
The way to learn the pronunciation of like is to practice this one syllable word and do not add an extra sound. It cannot be pronounced like lick or lake.
Common Mistakes While Pronouncing “Like”
A significant number of learners pronounce like incorrectly because of the influence of the accent. The following are some of the common mistakes:
- Saying “lake” instead of “like”
- Dropping the “k” sound
- Over-stressing the vowel sound
To better the pronunciation of like, concentrate on the end of the word with the sharp ending of the word with the sound of k.
Tips to Practice How to Pronounce Like
The following are some of the effective tips in learning how to pronounce like:
- Practice in front of a mirror to observe mouth movement.
- Listen to native speakers and repeat after them.
- Record your voice and compare it with correct pronunciation.
- Use the word “like” in short sentences daily.
It will just take time to get used to the pronunciation of like as it will be natural through regular practice.
Using “Like” in Daily Sentences
Once you know how to pronounce like, practice using it in context:
- “I like coffee.”
- “She looks like her mother.”
- “It feels like summer today.”
Good pronunciation and the right use enhance the general communication. Click here for more information.
