Learn How to Pronounce tense
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How to pronounce:
tense
Definition:
(nou) a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
Phonetic Transcription:
tens
Examples:
It was an extraordinarily tense time.
The buildup to the premiere was tense.
The situation in the city was tense.
Learn more about:tense
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: tense
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Common mistakes of tense pronunciation
- Vowel confusion: Some learners mispronounce "tense" as /tɛns/ instead of the correct /tɛns/ in US and /tɛns/ in UK. Tip: Focus on the short "e" sound, similar to "pen".
- Stress misplacement: Incorrectly stressing the second syllable as in "ten-SE" can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Remember that "tense" is a single-syllable word with primary stress on the first part: /ˈtɛns/.
- Final "s" sound: Some pronounce "tense" with a heavy "s" sound, making it sound like "tense" with an added "uh" at the end. Tip: Keep the "s" crisp and clear without adding extra sounds.
- Overemphasizing the vowel: Learners sometimes elongate the vowel sound, saying "teens" instead of "tense". Tip: Practice saying "tense" quickly to maintain the short vowel sound.
- Mixing up similar words: Confusing "tense" with "ten" can happen, especially in fast speech. Tip: Distinguish by practicing the "s" sound at the end of "tense" to ensure clarity.