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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary

Heterophones

Is there any clue or hint how to recognize the different pronunciations of some words (heterophones) when spoken as verbs and nouns, for example, premise, suspect, consort, conduct, conflict, etc.?
  

Top answer

I'm not aware of any way to guess whether they will be pronounced the same or different. I expect you've noticed that all your examples stress the first syllable for the noun and the second for the verb, but there are many words where the noun and verb forms are the same.

— Blue Jay

  • I'm not aware of any way to guess whether they will be pronounced the same or different.
  • I expect you've noticed that all your examples stress the first syllable for the noun and the second for the verb, but there are many words where the noun and verb forms are the same.
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4 Answers
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I'm not aware of any way to guess whether they will be pronounced the same or different. I expect you've noticed that all your examples stress the first syllable for the noun and the second for the verb, but there are many words where the noun and verb forms are the same.
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Blue JayI'm not aware of any way to guess whether they will be pronounced the same or different.
Thanks for the reply. It seems to me that the only way to master it is to make a list of those words, whenever spotted, and learn them by heart.
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Anonymous It seems to me that the only way to master it is to make a list of those words, whenever spotted, and learn them by heart.
I fear so.
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Anonymous It seems to me that the only way to master it is to make a list of those words, whenever spotted, and learn them by heart.
That's correct. But I do not suggest you go looking for them; just keep a list for when you come across them.
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