How to pronounce unergative
Say it like uh-NUR-guh-tiv. Unergative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unergative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- NUR
- guh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unergative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- NURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- guhKeep 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 unergative
- 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: uh-NUR-guh-tiv.
What does unergative mean?
- Intransitive and having an agent as its subject.
- An unergative verb.
Where does unergative come from?
From un- + ergative, from the fact that in an ergative-absolutive language, the only case which uniquely identifies a volitional argument is the ergative case, which marks the agent of a transitive verb.
Questions about saying unergative
How do you pronounce unergative?
Say uh-NUR-guh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ʌˈnɝɡətɪv/. In British English it is /ʌˈnɜːɡətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unergative?
Unergative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NUR). Broken into parts: uh · NUR · guh · tiv.
Is unergative 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 /ʌˈnɜːɡətɪv/ (uh-NUR-guh-tiv).