How do you pronounce comparables?

Answer 1

I always used to emphasize the first syllable and give the second syllable a short e sound, as in COM-per-able. I've become more subtle in my usage.

I use my first example when I am saying two things are similar, or could be substituted for each other. For example, I think Toyotas and Hondas have COM-per-able quality.

I use a different emphasis when I want to say two things can be compared. In that case I would say com-PAR-able. Notice the emphasis went to the second syllable and the vowel sound became a long A. For example, I don't think apples and Oranges are com-PAR-able.

In the second case, I have even caught myself using a prefix of UN to say things cannot be compared. For example, apples and Oranges are UN-com-PAR-able.

The UN prefix cannot be used with the first pronunciation; UN-COM-per-able is not a word. The negation of COM-per-able is IN-COM-per-able, which means an item which represents the finest form of something. For example, the richness of the English language is IN-COM-per-able, as is its ability to confuse.

Todd Gatts




Com/par/a/ble or com/par/able

Answer 2

I always used to emphasize the first syllable and give the second syllable a short e sound, as in COM-per-able. I've become more subtle in my usage.

I use my first example when I am saying two things are similar, or could be substituted for each other. For example, I think Toyotas and Hondas have COM-per-able quality.

I use a different emphasis when I want to say two things can be compared. In that case I would say com-PAR-able. Notice the emphasis went to the second syllable and the vowel sound became a long A. For example, I don't think apples and oranges are com-PAR-able.

In the second case, I have even caught myself using a prefix of UN to say things cannot be compared. For example, apples and oranges are UN-com-PAR-able.

The UN prefix cannot be used with the first pronunciation; UN-COM-per-able is not a word. The negation of COM-per-able is IN-COM-per-able, which means an item which represents the finest form of something. For example, the richness of the English language is IN-COM-per-able, as is its ability to confuse.

Todd Gatts




Com/par/a/ble or com/par/able