How to pronounce preformative
Say it like pree-FOR-muh-tiv. Preformative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce preformative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- FOR
- muh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Preformative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- 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 preformative
- 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: pree-FAW-muh-tiv.
What does preformative mean?
- a formative letter, syllable, etc., at the beginning of a word.
- Of or pertaining to preformation.
- Of a thing: forming or affecting something that comes later.
- of a letter, syllable, etc.: attached to the beginning of a word as a formative element.
Where does preformative come from?
From pre- (prefix meaning ‘before; physically in front of’) + formative, modeled after Late Latin praeformativus (originally used in relation to the grammar of Semitic languages).
Questions about saying preformative
How do you pronounce preformative?
Say pree-FOR-muh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /priˈfoʊrmətɪv/. In British English it is /priˈfɔːmətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in preformative?
Preformative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOR). Broken into parts: pree · FOR · muh · tiv.
Is preformative 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 /priˈfɔːmətɪv/ (pree-FAW-muh-tiv).