How to pronounce initiatives
Say it like in-ISH-uh-tivz. Initiatives has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce initiatives. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- ISH
- uh
- tivz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Initiatives pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of initiatives
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ih-NISH-uh-tivz.
What does initiatives mean?
- plural of initiative How to pronounce initiative
Questions about saying initiatives
How do you pronounce initiatives?
Say in-ISH-uh-tivz. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˈnɪʃətɪvz/. In British English it is /ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in initiatives?
Initiatives has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ISH). Broken into parts: in · ISH · uh · tivz.
Is initiatives 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 /ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz/ (ih-NISH-uh-tivz).