Illustrative
Hi there,
How do most native speakers (both AmEng and BE ones) pronounce the adjective 'illustrative'?
I have checked a few online dictionaries (available via the OneLook site ) ... Most dictionaries point out the stress should be either on the first or on the second syllable in this word. The online webster however gives a third variant where the third syllable is pronounced as "-raytive". In this case the first and the third syllables seem to be nearly "equally stressed" (as far as I understand).
In short, the word "illustrative" seems to allow THREE different pronunciation patterns, doesn't it?
What pronunciation of 'illustrative' is most common in "your" English (country/region/community/...office :-)?
Top answer
(BrE speaker) I put the stress on the first syllable. I wasn't even aware that there was any other correct possibility.
- (BrE speaker) I put the stress on the first syllable.
- I wasn't even aware that there was any other correct possibility.
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(BrE speaker) I put the stress on the first syllable. I wasn't even aware that there was any other correct possibility.
0I've always heard (and said) ill-****-ra-tiv (except on imported BBC productions). AmE.
CJ
0British English speaker here, my regional accent is home counties. It's not a very common word, but I pronounce it with stress on the first syllable. However, I also pronounce the a of the 3rd syllable as "ray". Illustraytive.
Second syllable stress with a shorter a sound is an American English pronunciation.
0
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