As I listen to audio assessments people have sent me, I notice there is some confusion regarding how British and Americans pronounce ‘er’ differently especially at the end of words.
If you are speaking with a British accent or Australian accent generally, you don’t pronounce the /r/ sound when ‘er’ is at the end of words. The exception is when you need to use the /r/ in a linking /r/ situation.
If you are speaking with an American accent you do pronounce the /r/ sound in ‘er’ at the end of words.
Important: But here’s the confusion. Students who have learned English with an American accent, do put the /r/ in to pronounce ‘er’ at the end of words, BUT they forget to use an American /r/ sound. They often use the /r/ sound from their original language.
And, students who have learned English with an Australian accent or British accent, don’t take the /r/ sound out to pronounce the final ‘er’. Or, they use their original /r/ sound when they use the linking /r/.
So here’s an audio lesson for you that you can practise with:
How British and Americans pronounce ‘er’ differently-audio
Words and sentences
water I need some water please.
matter It doesn’t matter.
partner His partner came to meet them.
defender The public defender asked lots of questions.
meager She counted her meager savings.
hammer Put the hammer on the bench.
mixer He put the mixer stick into the paint pot.
sticker Take the sticker off the window, please.
tiger The tiger roamed menacingly around the village.
stopper Give me the glass stopper.
loser I don’t want to be (wanna be) the loser this time.
