English pronunciation · Words Starting with W

Where Pronunciation

Where is pronounced WER, IPA /ˈhwɛr/.

WER

US /ˈhwɛr/  ·  UK /ˈweə/

Syllables: WER (1 syllable)

adverb and conjunction: In or to what place, or the place in which something happens.

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Where in a Sentence

  • Where did you leave the tickets?
  • This is where the path splits.
  • I asked where she had been.

Common Mispronunciations of Where

Not WEER

The vowel is the air of care, not the ear of here. Swapping them gives weir, which is a barrier in a river.

Not WAIR with a heavy h

Some American and Scottish speakers breathe an h before the w, giving hwair. Most speakers do not, and plain wair is the majority form.

Tip: Where, wear, and ware are pronounced the same for nearly everyone.

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