How to pronounce backshift
Say it like BAK-shift. Backshift has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈbækʃɪft/BAK-shift
UK British/ˈbækʃɪft/BAK-shift
- BAK
- shift
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Backshift pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shiftKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of backshift
American and British speakers say backshift in essentially the same way: /ˈbækʃɪft/ in the US and /ˈbækʃɪft/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAK-shift.
What does backshift mean?
noun
- The changing of the tense of a verb from present to past in reported speech.
- A function on a stochastic process whose value on any random variable is the preceding random variable in the process.
- To change the tense of a verb from present to past in reported speech.
Where does backshift come from?
From back + shift.
Questions about saying backshift
How do you pronounce backshift?
Say BAK-shift. The American pronunciation is /ˈbækʃɪft/. In British English it is /ˈbækʃɪft/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in backshift?
Backshift has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK). Broken into parts: BAK · shift.
Do Americans and Brits say backshift the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbækʃɪft/ and the British form is /ˈbækʃɪft/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.