How to pronounce sustaining
Say it like suh-STAY-ning. Sustaining has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sustaining. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- STAY
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sustaining pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of sustaining
American and British speakers say sustaining in essentially the same way: /səˈsteɪnɪŋ/ in the US and /səˈsteɪnɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: suh-STAY-ning.
What does sustaining mean?
- present participle and gerund of sustain How to pronounce sustain
- The process by which something is sustained or upheld.
- That sustains, supports or provides sustenance.
Words that rhyme with sustaining
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sustaining.
Questions about saying sustaining
How do you pronounce sustaining?
Say suh-STAY-ning. The American pronunciation is /səˈsteɪnɪŋ/. In British English it is /səˈsteɪnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sustaining?
Sustaining has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAY). Broken into parts: suh · STAY · ning.
Do Americans and Brits say sustaining the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səˈsteɪnɪŋ/ and the British form is /səˈsteɪnɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.