Download LingUp to continue the roleplay and get instant feedback on your grammar and pronunciation.
Try LingUp Now!Start with 'con' (/kɑːn/). The vowel is open, like the 'o' in 'hot' or 'father'. Touch your tongue tip to the roof of your mouth for the 'n'.
The middle syllable 'tem' (/təm/) is unstressed and quick. The vowel is a schwa /ə/, like the 'a' in 'about'. It sounds like 'tuhm'.
End with 'plate' (/pleɪt/). The 'a' is a long 'A' sound, like in 'say' or 'day'. Finish with a crisp 't' sound.
Stressing the second syllable (con-TEM-plate). The stress should be on the first syllable (CON-tem-plate).
Pronouncing the first 'o' like in 'go' (koʊn). It should be an open 'ah' sound (/kɑːn/).
Making the middle syllable 'tem' too strong. It should be a very short, weak sound.
Start with 'con' (/kɒn/). The vowel is short and rounded, like the 'o' in 'lot'.
The middle syllable 'tem' (/təm/) is the same as American: an unstressed schwa sound.
End with 'plate' (/pleɪt/), which is the same as the American pronunciation.
Using the more open American 'ah' sound for the first syllable instead of the rounded British 'o' sound.
Stressing the second syllable (con-TEM-plate). The stress is on the first syllable (CON-tem-plate).
Not releasing the final 't' sound clearly, which can sometimes happen in casual speech.
The stress is on the first syllable: CON-tem-plate. Say the first part louder and longer than the other two parts.
It's a very weak and fast sound. The vowel is a schwa (/ə/), like the 'a' in 'sofa'. It sounds like 'tuhm', not like the word 'temple'.
In American English, the vowel is open, like 'ah' in 'father'. In British English, your lips are more rounded, making a sound like the 'o' in 'lot'.
To think deeply and carefully about something for a period of time.
/ˌkɑːn.təmˈpleɪ.ʃən/
The act of deep thinking.
/kənˈtem.plə.tɪv/
Thinking deeply; thoughtful.
/ˈkɑːn.təm.pleɪ.tɪŋ/
The action of thinking deeply.
- The main stress moves from the first syllable (CON-tem-plate) to the third syllable (con-tem-PLA-tion).
- The main stress moves from the first syllable (CON-tem-plate) to the second syllable (con-TEM-pla-tive).
- The stress pattern is the same, staying on the first syllable.
Say the word family aloud to feel how the stress moves: CON-tem-plate, con-tem-PLA-tion, con-TEM-pla-tive. This is a common pattern for many English words.
The key to sounding natural is making the middle syllable ('tem') very weak and quick. Practice saying 'CON-tuhm-plate' to get the rhythm right.
