Learn pronunciation
by listening.
At the American Pronunciation Guide (APG), we bring together examples of real speech to help you hear how words are used in American English.
Our videos combine clips from popular culture. You can hear a word in a sentence, compare speakers, and practice its sounds and rhythm.
A descriptive approach to language
APG’s philosophy is rooted in descriptive linguistics: observing how people use language. We learn from the way people speak, including differences between regions and speakers.
As you listen, notice which syllable stands out and how the word fits into the sentence. A word can have more than one accepted pronunciation.
How the pronunciation videos are made
APG’s software searches video transcripts for potential clips. We review and select examples, combine them into a pronunciation video, and check the finished video before publication.
Links to the original clips appear in each video’s YouTube description.
What you’ll find on a word page
Start with the video. Where references are available, you’ll also find definitions, International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) pronunciation, and passages from books. Listening tips explain useful details such as stress, silent letters, and accepted variants.
The IPA and notes draw on dictionaries; they are not transcriptions of the videos. Book quotations link to their sources, and practice sentences are written for APG. Our Sources & credits page explains how we choose and check these references.
Make the most of the guide
- Search for a word or explore the alphabetical dictionary.
- Watch its video and listen for the sounds and stress across the examples.
- Use the IPA, definitions, and book passages to connect pronunciation with meaning.
Start with APG’s welcome video, explore the dictionary, or visit the IPA guide for help reading pronunciation symbols.
Visit our YouTube channel for more videos or read the project documentation.