2 syllables: of, fer. Stress on of.
AW-fur
/ˈɔfɚ/
offer is pronounced AW-fur (/ˈɔfɚ/). It has two syllables (of-fer), with the stress on "of". Offer is a verb or noun referring to presenting something for acceptance or a proposed arrangement. It involves stating a willingness to give, grant, or negotiate, as in making an offer in a contract or offering assistance. The pronunciation centers on a stressed /ˈɒf.ər/ in many dialects, with a reduced final syllable often realized as /ər/ or /ɚ/ depending on accent. Context determines formal or casual usage.
Offer is a verb or noun referring to presenting something for acceptance or a proposed arrangement. It involves stating a willingness to give, grant, or negotiate, as in making an offer in a contract or offering assistance. The pronunciation centers on a stressed /ˈɒf.ər/ in many dialects, with a reduced final syllable often realized as /ər/ or /ɚ/ depending on accent. Context determines formal or casual usage.
- Misplacing stress or over-articulating the second syllable, yielding /ˈɒfər/ with equal emphasis; correct by keeping primary stress on first syllable and reducing second to /ər/ or /ə/. - Prolonging the second syllable to /ˈɒf.ɒr/ or /ˈɔː.fɔː/; fix with a quick, muted /ər/ and a relaxed tongue to avoid a heavy vowel. - Over-articulating final /r/ in non-rhotic accents; practice with and without rhoticity depending on your target; in UK/AU, avoid strong /r/ after a consonant unless next vowel follows.
"- The company will offer a six-month warranty on all products."
"- She made an offer to buy the house after the inspection."
"- He offered to help with the project, despite his busy schedule."
In most varieties of English, offer is pronounced with a stressed first syllable: /ˈɒf.ər/ or /ˈɔː.fər/ depending on the vowel system you follow. The first vowel is an open back rounded vowel in UK/US variants, followed by a lightly reduced second syllable. In careful speech, you’ll hear a clear /ə/ or /ɚ/ in the second syllable. Try saying 'OF' and then quickly 'er' to feel the rhythm; the second syllable is typically weaker, not silent.
Common errors include pronouncing the second syllable with a full vowel like /oʊ/ or /oː/ (as in 'offer' as two equal syllables) and misplacing the primary stress on the second syllable. Also, some learners insert a hard /r/ for non-rhotic dialects. Correct by keeping /ˈɒf.ər/ with a reduced second syllable and ensuring the /ɹ/ is appropriate to your accent. Focus on a short, relaxed second syllable for natural rhythm.
US: /ˈɔː.fɚ/ with rhotic /ɹ/ and a fuller second syllable; UK: /ˈɒf.ə/ or /ˈɒf.ə/ with a weak or non-rhotic final; AU: often /ˈɒ.fə/ with a shorter, softer final syllable and possible vowel merger toward /ə/. The main variation is vowel quality and rhoticity; the first syllable generally remains stressed. Practice with minimal pairs like 'off' vs 'offer' to feel the lighter second syllable across accents.
The challenge lies in smooth vowel reduction and the quick, light second syllable after a stressed initial vowel. Learners often over-articulate the second syllable, producing /ˈɒf.ɜː/ or /ˈɔː.fɔː/. The key is a clipped, unstressed second syllable and proper tongue position for /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ in the first syllable. Also, manage the /ɹ/ or lack thereof depending on the accent. Practice blending the two syllables without a hard break.
There is no silent letter in the standard pronunciation of offer. The second syllable contains a schwa-like vowel /ə/ or /ɚ/, which is reduced, not silent. The challenge is not a silent letter but the reduction and reduction pattern—how the second syllable weakens in connected speech. Ensure you sustain the first consonant cluster /ɒf/ before transitioning to a lighter second syllable.
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- US: emphasize rhotic /ɹ/ when applicable; keep second syllable as a reduced /ɚ/; ensure the first vowel is broad /ɔː/ or /ɔ/ depending on region. - UK: non-rhotic tendency; /ˈɒf.ə/ with a softer, schwa-like second syllable; avoid adding a full /ɹ/ sound unless your variant is rhotic. - AU: similar to UK, but vowels may shift toward /ɒ/ or broader /ɔː/; maintain reduced second syllable; watch for Australian vowel length differences. - IPA references: US /ˈɔː.fɚ/; UK /ˈɒ.fə/; AU /ˈɒ.fə/. - General tip: practice with minimal pairs like off/offer to feel the difference in the initial vowel and the reduced second syllable.
Offer originates from Old French offert, from offrir, meaning to present or to offer. The Latin root ob- meaning toward, and ferre meaning to bear or carry, contributed to the sense of presenting something to someone. In Middle English, the form evolved through Norman influence and eventually settled into the modern verb and noun offer. The pronunciation has seen shifts in vowel quality and vowel reduction, with the initial stress consistently on the first syllable. The noun and verb forms share the same spelling but can differ in stress and intonation in connected speech. Early uses often related to presenting gifts or terms; by the 14th-15th centuries, legal and commercial senses appeared, reflecting its role in contracts and negotiation. The word’s cross-linguistic journey mirrors its functional versatility across speaking, law, commerce, and everyday help or bid contexts. First known written attestations appear in Middle English law and trade documents, underscoring its long-standing utility in transactional language.
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Help others use "offer" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "offer" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "offer" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "offer"
-fer sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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