Nasal Consonant: m sound /m/

Listen to the m sound

How to pronounce the m sound

To create the m sound, the lips are pressed together, causing the air to be blocked from leaving the mouth. The soft palate drops, allowing air to pass out through the nose. The sound is voiced, so the vocal cords vibrate while producing it.

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Common m sound spellings

spelling	example		other pronunciations for spelling
m/mm	made summer exam		none
-mn[1]	autumn column condemn		none
-mb[2]	climb limb dumb		none

[1] mn spelling
When the mn spelling occurs at the end of a word it is usually pronounced as an m sound (the n is silent). If a suffix is added to the word, however, the n sound may be pronounced. For instance, the n sound is not pronounced in the words autumn or column, but is pronounced in the words columnal and condemnation.

In the middle of a word, the mn is more frequently pronounced as an m sound followed by an n sound (as in the words chimney and remnant). Consult a dictionary for the correct pronunciation of individual words.

[2] mb spelling
When the mb spelling occurs at the end of a word it is usually pronounced as an m sound (the b is silent). In the middle of a word, the mb is more frequently pronounced as an m sound followed by a b sound (as in the words number and ambition). Consult a dictionary for the correct pronunciation of individual words.

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The m sound in suffixes

spelling	example		other pronunciations for spelling
-nomy	autonomy astronomy economy		none
-ism	tourism journalism activism		none

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Non-phonetic m sound words

none

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Pronuncian Lessons

  

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