Q&A for How to Pronounce R's

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  • Question
    How can I increase my speed of speaking?
    Community Answer
    Practice for 10 minutes every day. Be more confident when you speak. Use the language at home and with your friends.
  • Question
    My R's sound like W's, and people often mishear me. Any help?
    Community Answer
    Typically, the "W" sound does not involve your tongue. When next pronouncing the "R" sound, use your tongue by positioning it on the roof of your mouth.
  • Question
    When I pronounce my Rs, it sounds like "ah." What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Try saying "er" and adding "uh" at the end. It will sound weird when said slowly, but when said faster it will sound normal. Try saying "red," "read," and "star."
  • Question
    How do I improve my speech ability?
    Top Answerer
    Talk with fluent speakers who will coach you and correct your mistakes. Actually speaking to someone means you get instant, proper feedback.
  • Question
    When I say an "R," it sounds like a "G." How can I correct my speech?
    Community Answer
    Make your mouth more O-shaped, and open it more. If that doesn't work, raise your tongue higher in your mouth.
  • Question
    What can I do if my classmates make fun of me because I can't pronounce Rs?
    Community Answer
    Ignore them, or tell a teacher that you're being teased. If you're not already seeing one, ask your parents to find you a speech therapist.
  • Question
    My 'ra' sounds like 'la'. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    When you say 'la', the tip of your tongue presses lightly on the ridge behind your top teeth. The middle and back of your tongue, your lips, and your jaw are all relaxed. As you add your voice, your jaw drops a little with your tongue. Keep the middle of your tongue relaxed. The sound starts at the front of your mouth. When you say 'ra', the front of your tongue should be relaxed and stay near the bottom of your mouth, while the middle of your tongue is tensed and arched wide and up against your molars on both sides. Your lips and jaw are a little tensed. As you add your voice, your jaw and the middle of your tongue will drop a little. The sound starts from the middle-back of your mouth.
  • Question
    I'm unable to pronounce "R." Whenever I say "R," it's automatically pronounced as "V." What can I do?
    Top Answerer
    V's involve your top teeth pressing against your bottom lip. R's do not involve teeth touching lips. Talk with people who can fluently speak English (preferably no rough accent to avoid confusion), to help coach your lip movement. It's mainly about moving your lips.
  • Question
    How can I start pronouncing "R's" correctly and not with a "W" sound?
    Community Answer
    Typically, the "W" sound does not involve your tongue. When next pronouncing the "R" sound, use your tongue by positioning it on the roof of your mouth.
  • Question
    Why do my Rs sound like Ws when I speak?
    Community Answer
    You are using your lips. Try to stop using your lips. Don't make them round. You don't need round lips to make an /r/. You need your tongue wide, high, sides of your tongue touching your top back teeth. Focus on your tongue.
  • Question
    Should the tip of my tongue touch upper part of mouth while pronouncing 'R'?
    Community Answer
    The tip of your tongue should not touch the gum ridge or teeth, but should be super close to each other.
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