How to pronounce formative
Say it like FOR-muh-tiv. Formative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR).
- FOR
- muh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Formative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- muhKeep 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 formative
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: FAW-muh-tiv.
What does formative mean?
- A thing which causes formation to occur.
- A language unit, typically a morph, that has a morphological function (that is, forming a word from a root or another word).
- Synonym of derivative (“a word that derives from another one”).
- Capable of forming something.
- Capable of producing new tissue.
- Pertaining to the formation of words; specifically, of an affix: forming words through inflection.
Where does formative come from?
From Middle English formatyve, formatif (“having the ability to form”), from Old French formatif, formative (modern French formatif), from Medieval Latin formātīvus, from Latin fōrmātus + -īvus (suffix forming adjectives with the sense ‘doi
Words that rhyme with formative
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of formative.
Questions about saying formative
How do you pronounce formative?
Say FOR-muh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɔrmətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈfɔːmətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in formative?
Formative has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR). Broken into parts: FOR · muh · tiv.
Is formative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈfɔːmətɪv/ (FAW-muh-tiv).