Short YouTube pronunciation lesson by Hadar Shemesh that teaches learners how to distinguish "won't" (will not) from "want" in American English. The instructor explains that both words begin with a W sound but differ in vowel quality: "won't" features rounded lips and a long O diphthong (close to the letter O → then to an /u/ closing), while "want" uses an open "ah" vowel (as in "father") produced with a dropped jaw. The video includes spoken examples ("I won't go there" vs "I want to go there"), learner echoes, and practice advice to lengthen the vowel for "won't."
Chapters
Hey, it's hadar. And this is the accents way. Your way to finding clarity, confidence, and freedom in English. And today we're going to talk about the two words won't versus want. Won't as in I won't do it and want as in I want to do it. Okay, so as you can hear, both words are pronounced differently, although I hear that non native speakers tend to often pronounce both words the same. I won't do it, and I want to do it. All right, so let's learn how to distinguish the two words. Now, obviously, the sentence structure when you use both words is different. Quite different. But also, we want to make a clear distinction in pronunciation. So let's begin with the word won't as in will not. The word begins with a W sound. So you bring your lips together, W. And then there is a long O vowel. O as in go.
Won't. Won't.
Okay, O, as in the letter o is pronounced in the Alphabet. Now, notice it has two parts. You begin with an open sound, and then you close it to an U sound. Think of it as if adding a W sound after the o. O won't. I won't do it. I won't go there. I won't be there. All right, now, the word want is actually an open ah sound.
Want. Want.
So it begins the same w, w. But then instead of saying want, I just drop my jaw, open it to an ah as in father vowel.
Want.
I want to go there. I want to be there. I want it.
Want.
Won't.
All right. Rounded lips, a long diphthong.
Whoa.
I close it to an oo sound. Won't.
Want.
I won't go.
I want to go. All right, good. So practice these two words in context. Remember to take your time with a long vowel, especially for the won't. And I'm sure you'll be able to pronounce it perfectly. All right, so that's it for today. Have a wonderful week, and I'll see you in the next video. Bye.
