How to pronounce motives
Say it like MOH-tivz. Motives has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce motives. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈmoʊtɪvz/MOH-tivz
UK British/ˈməʊtɪvz/MOH-tivz
- MOH
- tivz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Motives pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tivzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of motives
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: MOH-tivz.
What does motives mean?
noun
- plural of motive How to pronounce motive
Questions about saying motives
How do you pronounce motives?
Say MOH-tivz. The American pronunciation is /ˈmoʊtɪvz/. In British English it is /ˈməʊtɪvz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in motives?
Motives has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH). Broken into parts: MOH · tivz.
Is motives pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈməʊtɪvz/ (MOH-tivz).