How to pronounce causative
Say it like KAW-zuh-tiv. Causative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce causative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAW
- zuh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Causative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- zuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of causative
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: KAW-zuh-tiv.
What does causative mean?
- Acting as a cause.
- Involving, or affected by, causality.“Such statistical analysis can establish correlation but cannot tell us whether the correlation is proximally causative, distally causative, or noncausative.”
- Expressing a cause or causation.“The ablative is a causative case.”
- An expression of an agent causing or forcing a patient to perform an action (or to be in a certain condition).
Where does causative come from?
From French causatif, from Latin causātīvus (“causative, pertaining to a lawsuit, accusative”), from causa (“cause”); see cause (verb) and -ive.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying causative
How do you pronounce causative?
Say KAW-zuh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɔzətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈkɔːzətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in causative?
Causative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAW). Broken into parts: KAW · zuh · tiv.
Is causative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈkɔːzətɪv/ (KAW-zuh-tiv).