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APG.American
Pronunciation Guide
FREE LISTENING WORKSHEET · APG

How to pronounce 20 legal terms

Listen, notice one detail, and say the word in a phrase.

Open the guide & listening notes →Take the interactive quiz →

Videos and full notes: https://ipronounce.io/guides/legal-terms

Name: ________________________　 Date: __________________

A five-word listening round

  1. Choose five words below. Open each linked word and play its APG video.
  2. Write one sound observation: the strongest syllable, a silent letter, a consonant connection, or a variant you hear.
  3. Say the original practice phrase, then write and say your own sentence.
  4. Read the word’s listening note and compare it with your observation. Repeat any word you want to revisit.
Your listening record — choose five, then return for another round
Word & videoPractice phraseWhat I hear / my sentence
affidavitShe signed the affidavit before a notary.
allegationThe company denied the allegation.
arbitrationThe parties agreed to arbitration.
attorneyShe called her attorney after the meeting.
beneficiaryHe is named as a beneficiary in the will.
collateralThe lender asked for additional collateral.
defendantThe defendant entered the courtroom.
indictmentThe indictment was unsealed on Monday.
jurisdictionThe judge questioned the court's jurisdiction.
litigationThe litigation continued for several years.
plaintiffThe plaintiff called her first witness.
precedentThe opinion discusses an earlier precedent.
subpoenaThe witness received a subpoena.
testimonyThe jury listened to her testimony.
verdictThe jury returned its verdict.
caveatI agree, with one caveat.
covenantThe agreement contains a restrictive covenant.
judicialThe decision is subject to judicial review.
negligenceThe complaint alleges negligence.
paralegalThe paralegal organized the exhibits.

Test your pronunciation knowledge

Choose one answer for each question. The answer key includes explanations and source links.

  1. What happens to the written c in “indictment”?

    1. It becomes sh.
    2. It adds a syllable.
    3. It is silent.

  2. Which syllable has the main stress in “affidavit”?

    1. The third, with the day vowel
    2. The first, with the cat vowel
    3. The fourth, at the end

  3. How do the two written g letters sound in “negligence”?

    1. Both are silent.
    2. The first is hard g; the second is the j sound.
    3. Both have an sh sound.

  4. Which vowel is stressed in “subpoena”?

    1. The vowel in cat
    2. The vowel in eye
    3. The vowel in see
Show the answer key

Open this section before printing to include the answers.

  1. C. It is silent. The c in “indictment” is silent. The stressed syllable has the eye vowel and ends with t, before the final ment.

    Source: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

  2. A. The third, with the day vowel “Affidavit” has its main stress on the third syllable. The first syllable has a smaller, secondary beat.

    Source: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

  3. B. The first is hard g; the second is the j sound. The first g in “negligence” has the sound in go; the later g has /dʒ/, the sound in job. The first syllable is strongest.

    Source: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

  4. C. The vowel in see “Subpoena” stresses the middle ee vowel, as in see. The opening and final syllables are lighter.

    Source: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Sources & reuse

The pronunciation notes are based on the dictionary sources linked from each word page. Practice phrases and exercises are original APG learning material, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Credit American Pronunciation Guide and keep the source links when adapting this worksheet. Videos and reference quotations retain their own terms.

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