Sometimes the reason we say words wrong is because we don't know the right rules. Take, for example, these words:
- communicate
- chocolate
- associate
Since these words all end with the same spelling, they should all sound the sameーlike "communicate" with an "-eit" sound, right?
Wrong.
There are actually two ways to pronounce "-ate" words: /-eit/ (as in "eight" or "ate") and /-it/. To know the correct pronunciation, you have to know the function. Is it a verb, noun, or adjective?
Verbs are pronounced /-eit/
- communicate
- negotiate
- differentiate
Adjectives and nouns are pronounced /-it/
- chocolate (noun)
- passionate (adjective)
- corporate (noun/adjective)
But wait, what about words that function both as a verb and a noun and/or an adjective? How would you say these sentences:
- I don't associate with my associate.
- Let's delegate it to a delegate.
- Let's approximate the height. I'd say it's 150 centimeters, but that's just an approximate measurement.
The rule still holds. Even if the word looks the same, the pronunciation is not. Verbs still end in /-eit/ while nouns and adjectives end in /-it/.
Here is a list of common words with an "-ate" ending, can you say them correctly?
- activate
- translate
- delicate
- adequate
- relate
- accurate
- climate
- communicate
All that being said, there are words that don't follow this guideline. Short nouns like "plate" and "rate" are pronounced /-eit/, as well as when two words are combined, like "classmate".
This is one case where speaking is an important part of learning a language. You need to practice with a native speaker. Please check with your teacher to see if you are saying these words correctly.
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still holds [phrasal verb]—used to emphasize that a statement has not changed, even if the situation has changed