info

Info is pronounced as two syllables: /ˈɪn.foʊ/ in US and UK English, with the primary stress on the first syllable. The first syllable uses a short, lax /ɪ/ as in “pin,” followed by a light /n/ with a clear schwa-like glide into /foʊ/ on the second syllable. In casual speech you’ll hear crisper, faster transitions, sometimes with the second vowel reduced to a near-schwa before the /oʊ/ diphthong. See: /ˈɪn foʊ/ (US/UK). Audio reference: record yourself saying “info” and compare to native pronunciations in Pronounce or Forvo.

Common mistakes: 1) Overpronouncing the second syllable: treat /foʊ/ as a separate, elongated syllable; 2) Slurring to /ɪn.fɪ/ or /ɪn.foʊ/ with a shortened final vowel; 3) Misplacing the stress by making the second syllable prominent. Correction: keep primary stress on /ˈɪn/; glide smoothly from /ɪn/ into /foʊ/ with a light /f/. Use a quick, not-stiff transition between syllables, and finish with a tight but natural /oʊ/ diphthong.

Across accents, the first syllable stays /ˈɪn/ in US/UK/AU, but the second syllable's vowel quality can vary: US /oʊ/ often realized as a brighter, longer diphthong; UK /əʊ/ tends to be a slightly more centralized, clipped version; AU often aligns with US but can lean toward a more centralized /əʊ/ in rapid speech. Rhoticity does not affect this word directly since the final sound is a vowel. In non-rhotic UK, the /ɔ/ sound is not involved. In rapid speech, the final vowel may reduce to a schwa-like quality before the closing sound.

The difficulty lies in balancing the two-syllable rhythm and the diphthong in the second syllable. The /ɪ/ in the first syllable is short and tense, while /oʊ/ or /oʊ/ involves a precise tongue height and lip rounding. The glide from /n/ to /foʊ/ requires a smooth transition; if you execute a hard stop or delay, it sounds unnatural. Additionally, casual speakers often reduce to /ˈɪn.fə/ or compress the second syllable, making it less recognizable.

Generally, 'info' is uncountable and used without an plural in most English varieties. In some informal contexts you may hear people say 'infos' but this is nonstandard and typically avoided in formal or professional communication. If you need a plural sense, refer to ‘pieces of information’ or ‘bits of information’ for clarity, especially in writing. In American and British usage, keep it singular as ‘info’ when referring to information in general.