How to pronounce tenses
Say it like TEN-siz. Tenses has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tenses. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEN
- siz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tenses pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sizKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of tenses
American and British speakers say tenses in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛnsɪz/ in the US and /ˈtɛnsɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: TEN-siz.
What does tenses mean?
- plural of tense How to pronounce tense
- third-person singular simple present indicative of tense How to pronounce tense
Questions about saying tenses
How do you pronounce tenses?
Say TEN-siz. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛnsɪz/. In British English it is /ˈtɛnsɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tenses?
Tenses has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN). Broken into parts: TEN · siz.
Do Americans and Brits say tenses the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛnsɪz/ and the British form is /ˈtɛnsɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.