The first four alkanes are used mainly for heating and cooking purposes, and in some countries for electricity generation.
ðə fˈɜːst fˈoːɹ ˈælkeɪnz ɑːɹ jˈuːzd mˈeɪnli fɔːɹ hˈiːɾɪŋ ænd kˈʊkɪŋ pˈɜːpəsᵻz, ænd ɪn sˌʌm kˈʌntɹiz fɔːɹ ᵻlɛktɹˈɪsᵻɾi dʒˌɛnɚɹˈeɪʃən.