English Pronunciation Tip of the Day
Tip 84
Category:
Spelling to sound
Author: JAM
<ai>
The most frequent pronunciation of the letter sequence <ai> is /eI/, as in aim drain laid pail. However there are a few words which do not have this pronunciation:
- said is /sed/
- again and against have /e/ for some speakers and /eI/ for others
- plaid is /pl{d/ and plait is /pl{t/
- aisle is /aIl/
When the sequence is followed by <r>, the pronunciation is /e@/, as in air fair pair. The unstressed ending <-ain> is /@n/ (or /In/ for some speakers), as in curtain and captain.