How to pronounce contractions
Say it like kun-TRAK-shunz. Contractions has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contractions. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TRAK
- shunz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contractions pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TRAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shunzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contractions
American and British speakers say contractions in essentially the same way: /kənˈtrækʃənz/ in the US and /kənˈtrækʃənz/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TRAK-shunz.
What does contractions mean?
- plural of contraction How to pronounce contraction
Questions about saying contractions
How do you pronounce contractions?
Say kun-TRAK-shunz. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtrækʃənz/. In British English it is /kənˈtrækʃənz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contractions?
Contractions has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAK). Broken into parts: kun · TRAK · shunz.
Do Americans and Brits say contractions the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtrækʃənz/ and the British form is /kənˈtrækʃənz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.