Do you pronounce the 't' in often?

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Lash444

Golden Member
Sep 17, 2002
1,708
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Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: ShadowOfMyself
I never heard an american/english pronounce it ofTen :confused: 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? :p



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.
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
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I can't recall ever hearing anyone pronounce the T.

KT
 

I4AT

Platinum Member
Oct 28, 2006
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Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I can't recall ever hearing anyone pronounce the T.

KT

I've never met anyone who doesn't pronounce the t, aside from cowboys in western movies.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,172
17,880
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me pronounce t, which apparently is a new thing. actually, just tested it... I don't :)
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
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Originally posted by: I4AT
Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I can't recall ever hearing anyone pronounce the T.

KT

I've never met anyone who doesn't pronounce the t, aside from cowboys in western movies.

Must be my accent.

KT

 

DanTMWTMP

Lifer
Oct 7, 2001
15,908
19
81
I pronounce the T. I've yet to meet anyone in person that doesn't pronounce the T. I suppose there's no true right/wrong in this situation, but your coworker is just annoying.


 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
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 are both wrong. But technically you are more wrong than he is.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
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"?

USAGE NOTE During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the t in often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as soften and listen, the t generally remains silent.

So... I guess if he wants to insist that the only way to pronounce it is the way illiterate people in the middle ages did, he can go right ahead.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,578
982
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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"?

It is my opinion that your co-worker is a moron.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
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.
 

Miklebud

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,459
1
81
dictionary.com has it listed both ways. I've been told before by school teachers it's "off-en" but hear countless people say "off-ten".
 

jonks

Lifer
Feb 7, 2005
13,918
20
81
Originally posted by: mugs
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"?

USAGE NOTE During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the t in often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as soften and listen, the t generally remains silent.

So... I guess if he wants to insist that the only way to pronounce it is the way illiterate people in the middle ages did, he can go right ahead.

Everyone but monks was illiterate in the middle ages.
 

Red

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2002
3,704
0
0
Very rarely do I hear someone pronounce it with the "T" sound.

The only time I recall hearing the "T" is on the radio or TV. Actors, anchors and radio personalities over-emphasis correct pronunciation and often (off-in) miss the mark.
 

legoman666

Diamond Member
Dec 18, 2003
3,628
1
0
Ive always pronounced it ofTen. I've never heard people pronounce it with a silent T. weirdos.
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
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
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
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.
 

Lash444

Golden Member
Sep 17, 2002
1,708
64
91
Originally posted by: Red
Very rarely do I hear someone pronounce it with the "T" sound.

The only time I recall hearing the "T" is on the radio or TV. Actors, anchors and radio personalities over-emphasis correct pronunciation and often (off-in) miss the mark.


I bet you call it "soda" too you commie!
 

jonks

Lifer
Feb 7, 2005
13,918
20
81
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