Do you pronounce the 't' in often?

[JS80]

Originally posted by: sirjonk

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: FuzzyDunlop
Today I said the word often and a particularly annoying coworker told me that I was pronouncing it wrong. He says that it is pronounced offen not oft-en. I tried to explain that its pronounced both ways, but he claims that its only pronounced offen. Whats your opinion?

CLIFFS:
1) Say the word often outloud.
2) Do you pronounce the "t"?

Proper English you silence the "t." However it is acceptable today because so many douchebags pronounce it with the "t."

You just self-pwned yourself.

I would say you just did.

http://www.alphadictionary.com...spronounced_words.html

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/often.html

Hopefully the link soffens the blow.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: FuzzyDunlop
Today I said the word often and a particularly annoying coworker told me that I was pronouncing it wrong. He says that it is pronounced offen not oft-en. I tried to explain that its pronounced both ways, but he claims that its only pronounced offen. Whats your opinion?

CLIFFS:
1) Say the word often outloud.
2) Do you pronounce the "t"?

Proper English you silence the "t." However it is acceptable today because so many douchebags pronounce it with the "t."

You just self-pwned yourself.

I would say you just did.

http://www.alphadictionary.com...spronounced_words.html

laughing my ass off at "a blessing in the skies" and "carpool tunnel syndrome"


Oh nose, "Take for Granite"!

 

[jjones]

I pronounce it th-read.

 

[Q]

Where's the poll?

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: FuzzyDunlop
Today I said the word often and a particularly annoying coworker told me that I was pronouncing it wrong. He says that it is pronounced offen not oft-en. I tried to explain that its pronounced both ways, but he claims that its only pronounced offen. Whats your opinion?

CLIFFS:
1) Say the word often outloud.
2) Do you pronounce the "t"?

Proper English you silence the "t." However it is acceptable today because so many douchebags pronounce it with the "t."

You just self-pwned yourself.

I would say you just did.

http://www.alphadictionary.com...spronounced_words.html

laughing my ass off at "a blessing in the skies" and "carpool tunnel syndrome"

that's some crazy bidness

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I can't recall ever hearing anyone pronounce the T.

KT

I'm not sure I have either...but our regional accent is known for dropping t's so its hard to say what is right or wrong. I don't really think it matters, but I disagree with the idea that "offen" is the only correct way.

 

[manowar821]

Yes, always.

 

[SunnyD]

yes, and no.

 

[Nitemare]

Your friend is ignorant. Axe sum'n else

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Now another question...HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE SALMON?!!??

I always pronounce it w/ the L. SAL-Mon. But some people have mentioned that I should pronounce it w/o it. wtf?

 

[m1ldslide1]

This thread needs pollage.

I swing both ways.
ofTen
offen

 

[sswingle]

Yes i use the T

Where is the pohl?

 

[dainthomas]

saying "off-ten" sounds retarded. the t is silent people.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Now another question...HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE SALMON?!!??

I always pronounce it w/ the L. SAL-Mon. But some people have mentioned that I should pronounce it w/o it. wtf?

Depends...is he an author?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Lash444

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: ShadowOfMyself
I never heard an american/english pronounce it ofTen its always "offen", so I guess "offen" should be the right one

I mean its like "Knight"... everyone pronounces Knight the same way as Night, why? And I bet there are alot more words like that

Just because the people often times pronounce it wrong doesn't mean it is correct. How often do you pronounce the word tree as "tree" instead of "chree?" Does that mean it's supposed to sound like that?

So how do new words get entered into the dictionary? Thats right, when people use them. If 99% of the population pronounced "tree" "chree" its going to be listed as a possible pronunciation whether you like it or not.

Have you really heard anyone naturally say "Tree?" Pronunciation key at dictionary.com says "tre" with a long e is the only way. I would bet most people pronounce it "chree," however I'm unsure that 99% of people would ever pronounce a certain word the same way.

 

[Cuular]

Mr "T" for the win.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: sirjonk

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Now another question...HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE SALMON?!!??

I always pronounce it w/ the L. SAL-Mon. But some people have mentioned that I should pronounce it w/o it. wtf?

Depends...is he an author?

Are you referring to Rushdie? There's no O in his name.

 

[piasabird]

It is pronounced Off-Ten With the stress on Off. He just needs to go back to grammer school.

Maybe Red-Necks pronounce it offen. I think maybe he listens to blue collar comedy to offen.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

neg

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Now another question...HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE SALMON?!!??

I always pronounce it w/ the L. SAL-Mon. But some people have mentioned that I should pronounce it w/o it. wtf?

That's the FOB way.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

im guessing this is where you get different accents in american english. california accent ftw.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: piasabird
It is pronounced Off-Ten With the stress on Off. He just needs to go back to grammer school.

Maybe Red-Necks pronounce it offen. I think maybe he listens to blue collar comedy to offen.

lol the irony.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: torpid
I've heard it both ways, though usually it's the most pompous and arrogant people who insist on pronouncing it with a T at all times.

I was thinking this but wasn't going to say it - glad somebody else did.

I also pronounce aunt as ant as opposed to awnt.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: piasabird
It is pronounced Off-Ten With the stress on Off. He just needs to go back to grammer school.

Maybe Red-Necks pronounce it offen. I think maybe he listens to blue collar comedy to offen.

You've got it bass ackwards.
"People striving for sophistication often pronounce the T in this word, but true sophisticates know that the masses are correct in saying ?offen.?

Poll results and history:
http://www.confidentspeech.com/poll_results_often.htm

We recently asked our web site visitors to take a poll on the word often. Here is how you responded:

In the word often, do you pronounce the ?t??

25% Always pronounce the ?t?
50% Never pronounce the ?t?
25% Sometimes I pronounce the ?t?. Sometimes, I don?t.
Which is more correct? Is it better to pronounce often with or without the t-sound?

The word often is a fascinating example of language in the process of change. The Random House Dictionary states that the pronunciation of often without the t-sound gained favor with educated speakers in the 17th century. In recent years, however, more and more people have been pronouncing often with the t-sound, just as it is spelled.

Many of us can remember that in our younger days, the spelling pronunciation (often with the t-sound) was relatively uncommon. In those days, it was sometimes felt to be incorrect or a sign of pretentious, ?overly careful? speech. Nowadays, you hear many educated speakers using either pronunciation. Even some highly respected broadcast journalists use the pronunciation of often with the t-sound.

Our observation has been that the majority of people still pronounce often without the t-sound. Yet, as we listen to younger educated speakers, we hear a growing tendency to pronounce often with the t-sound.

So, what is one to do? Whichever pronunciation you use, you are correct! However, there are still some English speakers who criticize the pronunciation of often with a t-sound. If you absolutely want to ?play it safe? and please everyone, pronounce often without the t-sound.

Thanks to all our visitors for casting their votes!

Note:
There are a number of other words in which the t-sound stopped being pronounced centuries ago:

fasten

hasten

soften

There is no sign of change here. Never pronounce the t-sound in these words!

 

[BoomerD]

often
2 entries found.

Main Entry: of·ten
Pronunciation: \'o?-f?n, ÷'o?f-t?n\
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of oft
Date: 14th century