Grammar Grappler #23: How do you pronounce this word?
Blame this one on my Southern accent, but as soon as you scroll down the page, say the first word you see out loud:
Mischievous
Most people pronounce it one of two ways: “mis-chiv-us” or “mis-chee-vee-us.”
The correct pronunciation is “mis-chiv-us.” It’s three syllables, not four. The accent is on the first syllable, not the elongated second syllable.
That’s why mischievous always makes the list of the “Top Ten Most Commonly Misspelled Words” each year. People say it incorrectly, so they spell it incorrectly. They sometimes add an extra “i” and incorrectly spell it “mischievious.”
This is good to know as you prepare for your next spelling bee.
Until then, stay out of trouble by steering clear of any mischievous behavior.
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