English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Circumstances Pronunciation
Circumstances is pronounced SUR-kuhm-stan-suhz, IPA /ˈsɝkəmˌstænsəz/.
SUR-kuhm-stan-suhz
US /ˈsɝkəmˌstænsəz/ · UK /ˈsɜːkəmˌstænsɪz/
Syllables: SUR · kuhm · stan · suhz (4 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun (plural): The conditions and facts surrounding an event, which shape what is possible or reasonable.
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Circumstances in a Sentence
- Under the circumstances, nobody blamed her for leaving early.
- The circumstances of the accident are still being investigated.
- We would normally say no, but these are unusual circumstances.
Common Mispronunciations of Circumstances
Not sur-KUHM-stan-suhz
Dragging the beat onto kuhm breaks a long word into the wrong shape. English keeps the weight on SUR and lets the other three syllables run light and fast.
Not SUR-kuhm-stan-sez
End with suhz, not sez. After an s sound the plural ending adds a whole weak syllable, the same one you hear closing buses and faces.
Tip: Four syllables, and only the first one is loud: SUR-kuhm-stan-suhz.
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