Learn How to Pronounce divisive

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Try:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

divisive

Phonetic Transcription:

dɪˈvaɪsɪv

Examples:

The issue of importance is divisive.

The userbox is divisive and inflammatory.

Learn more about:

divisive

Related Words:

How to perfect your pronunciation of: divisive

Learn Individual Sounds

Break divisive down into individual sounds such as dɪˈvaɪsɪv. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say divisive in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say divisive in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with divisive.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of divisive pronunciation

  1. Stress placement: Some speakers incorrectly stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as "di-ˈvi-siv." The correct stress is on the second syllable in US English, "dɪ-ˈvaɪ-sɪv," and UK English, "dɪ-ˈvɪ-sɪv." Tip: Remember to emphasize the "vi" in "divisive."
  2. Vowel sound confusion: A common mistake is mispronouncing the vowel sound in the first syllable, saying "dɪ-ˈvɪ-siv" instead of "dɪ-ˈvaɪ-sɪv." The US variant uses the diphthong "aɪ." Tip: Focus on the "i" sound in the first syllable to avoid confusion.
  3. Final syllable pronunciation: Some people pronounce the last syllable as "siv," sounding like "divisiv." The correct pronunciation is "sɪv" in both US and UK English. Tip: Practice saying "divisive" slowly to ensure you articulate the final syllable correctly.
  4. Overemphasizing the "d": Some speakers place too much emphasis on the initial "d," making it sound heavier than it is. The pronunciation should flow smoothly, as in "dɪ-ˈvaɪ-sɪv." Tip: Keep the initial "d" light to maintain the word's rhythm.
  5. Dropping the final vowel: A frequent mistake is omitting the final vowel sound, resulting in "divisv." Both US and UK pronunciations include the "sɪv" ending. Tip: Ensure you pronounce the entire final syllable to avoid this error.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "divisive"?

The word "divisive" is pronounced as /dɪˈvɪs.ɪv/ in American English and /dɪˈvɪ.zɪv/ in British English. The primary stress is on the second syllable, "vis."

What are the common mistakes when pronouncing "divisive"?

Many people mistakenly place the stress on the first syllable, saying "DIV-itive" instead of "di-VIS-ive." Remember to emphasize the "vis" to pronounce it correctly.

Does "divisive" have a schwa sound?

Yes, the final syllable in "divisive" has a schwa sound, pronounced as "iv" /ɪv/. This makes it softer and less stressed than the "vis" syllable.

Are there any regional differences in pronouncing "divisive"?

Yes, in American English, it's commonly pronounced /dɪˈvɪs.ɪv/, while in British English, it's often /dɪˈvɪ.zɪv/. The difference lies mainly in the vowel sounds of the last syllable.
Improve your pronunciation with a convenient app anywhere, anytime