4 syllables: ac, com, plish, es. Stress on com.
uh-KAHM-plish-iz
/əˈkɑmplɪʃɪz/
accomplishes is pronounced uh-KAHM-plish-iz (/əˈkɑmplɪʃɪz/). It has four syllables (ac-com-plish-es), with the stress on "com". Accomplishes is a verb meaning to successfully complete a task or achieve a goal. It denotes carrying out actions to reach a desired result, often implying efficiency, effort, and competence. The form shown is third-person singular present tense, used with singular nouns (he accomplishes) and in simple present statements. It emphasizes attainment of outcomes rather than mere effort.
Accomplishes is a verb meaning to successfully complete a task or achieve a goal. It denotes carrying out actions to reach a desired result, often implying efficiency, effort, and competence. The form shown is third-person singular present tense, used with singular nouns (he accomplishes) and in simple present statements. It emphasizes attainment of outcomes rather than mere effort.
"She accomplishes every project on time and under budget."
"The team completes milestones and accomplishes its quarterly targets."
"He quickly accomplishes tasks that others find tedious."
Pronounce as /əˈkɒmplɪʃɪz/ (US) or /əˈkɒmplɪʃɪz/ (UK). The word has three syllables with primary stress on the second: a-COM-pli-sheves? Wait. Correction: ac-com-pli-shez. The standard breakdown is a- (unstressed) + COM (stress) + plis (short i) + hes. Speifically: schwa before the k sound, then /ɒ/ in US/UK; /plɪ/ with a short i; final /ʃɪz/ as -sh-iz. In IPA: US /əˈkɑːmplaɪ t? Sorry. Realistic: /əˈkɒmplɪʃɪz/ (UK) and /əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪz/ (US). Lip rounding: start with neutral vowel, then back rounded /ɒ/ or /ɑː/, then /mpli/ cluster, final /ʃɪz/. Audio reference: Pronounce resources like Forvo or YouGlish can confirm the subtle vowel length differences. IPA-detailed: US: əˈkɑːm.plɪʃ.ɪz; UK: əˈkɒm.plɪʃ.ɪz. Accent tip: the stress lands on the second syllable, not the third or first.
Common mistakes include stressing the wrong syllable (often saying ac-COM-plish-es with the stress on the first or third), mispronouncing the /k/ as /t/ or adding extra syllables, and misplacing the /ɪ/ before the final /z/. Correct by keeping the primary stress on the second syllable: /əˈkɒmplɪʃɪz/. Practice the sequence a-COM-pli-; avoid elongating the final /z/, and ensure the /pl/ cluster is tight and not split across syllables. Mismatching vowels (using /ɑː/ in place of /ɒ/ in UK) should be monitored and aligned to your target accent.
In US English, the second syllable hosts the strong stress with /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ depending on speaker; the ending /ɪz/ tends to be crisp but brief. UK English often has a shorter /ɒ/ in the second syllable and more precise consonant articulation; the final /z/ is clear. Australian English uses a similar /ɒ/ or /ɐ/ vowel with slightly broader intonation and a softer /z/ due to intonation. Across accents, you should watch rhoticity and the vowel qualities of /ɒ/ vs /ɐ/. IPA references: US əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪz, UK əˈkɒmplɪʃɪz, AU əˈkɒmplɪʃɪz.
The difficulty comes from the multi-consonant cluster /mpl/ after the stressed syllable, the common risk of dropping or misplacing the /ɪ/ in the final syllable, and the final /z/ voice that can sound like /s/ if the preceding sound is too sibilant-heavy. Also, the exact vowel length in the stressed syllable varies by accent, making it easy to misplace the main stress. Focus on a clean /ˈkɒm/ or /ˈkɑːm/ onset and a crisp /plɪʃɪz/ ending with proper voicing.
Does 'accomplishes' ever have a reduced form in connected speech? Generally no: the word maintains its second-syllable stress even in rapid speech, though vowels may be slightly reduced under casual pronunciation. The initial a- can become a schwa, and the /ɒ/ can sound closer to /ə/ in unstressed environments, but the syllable boundary remains clear: a-COM-pli-shes. IPA references: US /əˈkɑmplɪʃɪz/, UK /əˈɒmplɪʃɪz/;86 with rhythm matching.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "accomplishes"!
The verb accomplish derives from the Old French acomplir, itself from a- (from Latin ad) meaning towards and comple=plire (to fill, complete). In Late Middle English, acomplissen evolved through Old French acomplir and medieval Latin acmplīre, with the sense of “to fill up, to finish, to achieve.” The morpheme -plish in English reflects ‘to fill’ from Latin plere, later becoming -plish in words like accomplish. The word has carried the sense of completing a task since the 14th century, gaining nuance of successful attainment and efficiency, often in professional or formal contexts. Over time, English usage shifted from more literal “fill to the end” to a figurative sense of achieving goals, with the third-person singular form -ishes (accomplishes) appearing in modern usage to agree with singular subject. First known uses appear in compiled legal and administrative texts, where “to accomplish” signified the completion of duties or tasks, and later in literary and rhetorical prose, where it described successful outcomes. Today, it remains a common verb in both spoken and written English, carrying a sense of deliberate, effective action and achievement.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "accomplishes" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "accomplishes" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "accomplishes" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "accomplishes"
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
