Pronunciation of WALK vs WORK

Let's start with what these two words have in common: they both start in /w/ and end in /k/.

The challenge is in the sounds (vowels) between /w/ and /k/, represented by 'al' and 'or' respectively.

WALK /wɔ:k/

This is often the 'easy one'. We round our lips to produce /w/. We also round our lips to produce /ɔ:/, the vowel represented by 'al'.* So if you keep the same rounded lip shape as you transition from 'w' to 'al', you should produce the right sound. The L in walk is silent!

WORK /wɜ:k/

Spelling is not our friend here! Most of the time, we round our lips to pronounce 'or' (think about words like sport, important or order).

But in work, the 'or' represents a completely different vowel sound /ɜ:/*. This is the same vowel sound represented by 'ir' in bird, 'er' in serve or 'ur' in turn. For most speakers, the lips are neutral or relaxed for this vowel. It's a bit like uhh, the hesitation noise used by many speakers.

So the key is to clearly change the lip position as you move from /w/ into /ɜ:/:

1. rounded lips for /w/

2. relaxed/neutral lips for /ɜ:/ ('or')

The mistake most speakers make in work is keeping the lips rounded for the 'or', either because the rounded /w/ shape stays in place too long, or assuming from the spelling that we should round the lips. This is what makes it sound like walk!

Another tip

The 'wor' part of work is pronounced exactly like were /wɜ:/.

So think of work as were + /k/. This also goes for other words beginning with 'wor-': word (were +d), worse (were + s), world (were + ld).

VIDEO: HOW TO PRONOUNCE WALK vs WORK:

If you find this pair of words challenging, you are not alone! I hope that this blog and video have helped clarify walk vs work for you. If you have other confusing word pairs you'd like me to include in a post like this, contact me via the details below.

*My explanation and demo here are based in an accent from the UK typically associated with the south-east of England, known as Standard Southern British English (SSBE) or modern RP. In this accent, the 'r' is silent in work. However, even in many accents that pronounce the 'r', my comments about the lip positions in the transition from /w/ to the vowels in these words can still apply. However, many North American accents would have a less rounded or unrounded lip position for the vowel in walk compared with the one I describe and demonstrate above.

I'm Sonya Ross, a voice, speech and pronunciation coach based between Hastings and London, UK, and worldwide online. I help international professionals like you get clear, confident speech so your valuable message lands first time, with impact.

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Email me: sonya@vocalchoice.co.uk