ak-NAH-lij-iz
/æˈknɑlɪdʒɪz/
acknowledges is pronounced ak-NAH-lij-iz (/æˈknɑlɪdʒɪz/). Acknowledges means to admits or recognizes the existence or validity of something; to show awareness or appreciation of a fact, situation, or the rights of others. In usage, it often marks formal recognition, acceptance, or confirmation, sometimes as a preface to further action or discussion. The sense ranges from acknowledging errors to acknowledging contributions, sometimes with a nuance of certitude or respect.
Acknowledges means to admits or recognizes the existence or validity of something; to show awareness or appreciation of a fact, situation, or the rights of others. In usage, it often marks formal recognition, acceptance, or confirmation, sometimes as a preface to further action or discussion. The sense ranges from acknowledging errors to acknowledging contributions, sometimes with a nuance of certitude or respect.
"The board acknowledges the contributions of all staff to the project."
"She acknowledged receipt of the package with a brief email."
"He reluctantly acknowledges that his theory may be flawed."
Pronunciation: /əkˈnɒl.ɪ.dʒɪz/ (US/UK/AU). Break it as a-CKNOW-ledge-iz, with primary stress on the second syllable: ə-KNOL-ij (reduced first syllable) and the final -s as /z/. The sequence -ledge is /lɪdʒ/ with a soft j sound; keep your tongue high behind the upper teeth for the /dʒ/ and release with air. Practice by saying: “uh-KNOL-ij-iz.”
Common mistakes: 1) Misplacing stress, saying /əˈnɒl.ɪdʒɪz/ with primary stress on the first syllable; fix by re-centering stress on the second syllable. 2) Slurring the /dʒ/ into a /d/ or /j/ sound, producing /ˈnɒl.ɪj/; ensure the /dʒ/ is a clear affricate. 3) Final /z/ blending into an /s/ or dropping the /ɪ/ vowel before the /z/; practice the schwa /ə/ in the second syllable and keep /ɪ/ before /dʒ/; use slow, precise articulation.
Across accents, main differences: US: /əkˈnɒl.ɪ.dʒɪz/ with clear rhoticity and strong /ɒ/ in the second syllable. UK: /əkˈnɒl.ɪ.dʒɪz/ similar but often slightly more clipped final /ɪz/; non-rhotic features are not prominent in most accents, so /r/ is silent. AU: /əkˈnɔl.ɪdʒɪz/ with a broader open back vowel /ɒ/ or /ɔl/ and possibly a more pronounced /ɪ/ before /dʒ/. The key is maintaining the /dʒ/ and final /z/.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /kn/ sequence and the /dʒ/ in the third syllable, plus the unstressed first syllable and the rapid transition to the mid vowel /ɒ/ before /l/. Coarticulation from /k/ to /n/ to /l/ can blur sounds; practice by isolating /ək/ and /nɒl/ then adding /ɪdʒɪz/. Secure the /dʒ/ as a single affricate rather than two separate sounds; maintain final /z/ voice.
There are no silent letters in acknowledges. The letters are pronounced in sequence: /ə/ (unstressed), /ˈnɒl/ (second syllable), /ɪ/ (reduced vowel in third), /dʒɪz/ (final syllable). The challenge is coordinating /kn/ blend and the /dʒ/ onset after /l/. Use careful tongue movement: the /k/ and /n/ occur close together, then the tongue releases into /l/, then onto /dʒ/ for /ɪdʒ/.
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Acknowledges derives from the verb acknowledge, which comes from Old English oncnawan ‘to know’ (from the combination of on- ‘in, on’ and cnawan ‘know’), evolving in Middle English with the mid-16th century addition of the suffix -ledge, linked to words like knowledge and acknowledge. Historically, the term recognized an act of knowledge or admission, often in response to a claim or request. In legal, formal, and academic registers, acknowledge has long served as a key label for accepting a statement, proof, or duty, such as acknowledging receipt of documents or acknowledging a debt. The modern form acknowledges (present tense third-person singular) emphasizes ongoing recognition, while its noun counterpart acknowledgement is common in British English; American usage tends to prefer acknowledgment in many formal contexts. First known uses appear in late medieval English, aligning with the broader development of
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Words that rhyme with "acknowledges"
-ves sounds
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