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Try LingUp Now!Start with the 'com' sound, using an open back unrounded vowel /ɑː/ and pronounce like 'calm' without the 'l'.
Move to the 'plex' sound, with a close-mid front unrounded vowel /ɛ/ and a soft 'x' sound as in 'fox'.
Stress the first syllable: 'COM-plex'.
saying 'comp-lex' (comp-lex)
misplacing stress (com-PLEX)
using /oʊ/ sound (comp-lox)
Begin with 'com' using an open back rounded vowel /ɒ/, similar to the BrE 'cot'.
Next, say 'plex' with a mid front unrounded vowel /ɛ/ and end with a soft 'x' sound.
Put stress on the first syllable: 'COM-plex'.
saying 'comp-lex' (comp-lex)
misplacing stress (com-PLEX)
substituting /oʊ/ sound (comp-lox)
The word 'complex' as an adjective generally has the stress on the first syllable.
Both have similar endings but 'plex' uses /ɛ/ and has a soft 'x' sound.
Focus on grouping sounds into two syllables: 'com' and 'plex'.
Something with many parts; not simple.
/kəmˈplɛk.sɪ.ti/
The state of being complex
/ˈkɒmplɪkeɪt/
To make something more difficult
/kəmˈplɛkʃən/
The nature or quality of being complex
- stress is on the second syllable.
Complicate starts with a similar 'com' but ends with /keɪt/ not /plɛks/.
Complextion includes a /ʃən/ ending, different from /plɛks/.
Remember that the 'COM' in 'complex' is stressed to help distinguish it from other forms.
The 'com' part changes in different accents; practice BrE and AmE differences.
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