How To Pronounce Govern

govern

Phonemic

/ˈɡʌv.ən/

Phonetic

[ˈɡʌv.ə̃ʴn]

Phonemic

/ˈɡʌv.ɚn/

In British English, govern is pronounced /ˈɡʌv.ən/. The narrow phonetic transcription is [ˈɡʌv.ə̃ʴn]. In American English, it is pronounced /ˈɡʌv.ɚn/.

Govern has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first syllable. The British and American pronunciations are different, so listen to both.

Slashes / / show the phonemic transcription, the sounds that change meaning. Square brackets [ ] show the phonetic transcription, with the finer detail of how the sounds are actually made.

Syllables, Stress And Endings

Syllables And Stress

ɡʌvən

Govern has two syllables in British English, and the main stress is on the first syllable, shown in colour above. Its stress pattern is Oo, where O is the stressed syllable.

govern + -s

-s (plural, possessive or singular verb) is /z/ after a voiced consonant or a vowel sound.

/ˈɡʌv.ənz/

/ˈɡʌv.ɚnz/

govern + -ed

-ed (past tense or past participle) is /d/ after a voiced consonant or a vowel sound.

/ˈɡʌv.ənd/

/ˈɡʌv.ɚnd/

govern + -ing

-ing is always /ɪŋ/.

/ˈɡʌv.ən.ɪŋ/

/ˈɡʌv.ɚ.nɪŋ/

Words That Rhyme With Govern

oven

Questions About Govern

How do you pronounce govern in British English?

In British English, govern is pronounced /ˈɡʌv.ən/. The narrow phonetic transcription is [ˈɡʌv.ə̃ʴn].

How do you pronounce govern in American English?

In American English, govern is pronounced /ˈɡʌv.ɚn/.

How many syllables are in govern?

Govern has two syllables, /ɡʌv/ + /ən/.

Where is the stress in govern?

The main stress is on the first syllable, /ɡʌv/.

Do British and American English pronounce govern the same way?

No. British English has /ˈɡʌv.ən/ and American English has /ˈɡʌv.ɚn/.

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Other Words With The Stress Pattern Oo

Nearby Words

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