2 syllables: cha, sing. Stress on cha.
CHAY-sing
/ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/
chasing is pronounced CHAY-sing (/ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/). It has two syllables (cha-sing), with the stress on "cha". Chasing is the act of pursuing someone or something, often with urgency or persistence. In everyday usage it can describe physical pursuit, as well as metaphorical striving or following trends. The word typically appears in present participle form, indicating ongoing action, and is used across informal and formal contexts with varying degrees of intensity.
Chasing is the act of pursuing someone or something, often with urgency or persistence. In everyday usage it can describe physical pursuit, as well as metaphorical striving or following trends. The word typically appears in present participle form, indicating ongoing action, and is used across informal and formal contexts with varying degrees of intensity.
"The cat kept chasing the laser dot across the living room."
"She spent the afternoon chasing after the deadline to finish the project."
"Tourists were chasing the perfect sunset over the horizon."
Chasing is pronounced /ˈtʃeɪ.sɪŋ/. The stress falls on the first syllable: CHASE-ing. Start with the /tʃ/ sound as in chair, then the diphthong /eɪ/ as in day, followed by a light /s/ and the final /ɪŋ/ nasal. In fluent speech, the /eɪ/ may glide slightly toward /i/ before /ŋ/. Reference: IPA symbols guide articulation, keep the /tʃ/ explosive but not too forceful.
Common mistakes: 1) Dropping the final /ɪŋ/ or making it /n/; 2) Slurring the /tʃ/ into /t/ or /dʒ/; 3) Pronouncing the /eɪ/ as a pure /e/ or as /ɛ/. Correct them by: 1) clearly finishing with /ɪŋ/, keeping the nasal sound; 2) starting with a crisp /tʃ/, not a /t/ bite; 3) articulating the diphthong /eɪ/ with a visible glide from /e/ to /ɪ/.
US/UK/AU share /ˈtʃeɪ.sɪŋ/ base pronunciation, but rhoticity affects rhotic vowels in connected speech; US often retains more vowel width and faster vowel reduction; UK typically has crisper /tʃ/ release and slightly tenser /eɪ/; AU can have a more centralized vowel quality and lighter /ɪ/ before /ŋ/. In connected speech, Americans may link /sɪŋ/ with a short /ɪ/ before /ŋ/, while Brits may keep a clearer /ɪ/ in ‘sing’.
The difficulty lies in the diphthong /eɪ/ and the clean /tʃ/ onset in rapid speech, followed by thealveolar /s/ and final nasal /-ŋ/. The transition from a fronted vowel to a nasal consonant requires precise timing to avoid an intrusive schwa or a misarticulated /ŋ/. Coordinating tongue height for /eɪ/ while preserving the alveolar /s/ before /ɪŋ/ challenges many learners in rapid phrases.
A key feature is the two-phase onset: the /tʃ/ blend at the start, followed by a strong /eɪ/ glide, and then a quick alveolar /s/ before the nasal /-ɪŋ/. The syllable boundary falls naturally between /eɪ/ and /s/, but fluent speakers often reduce the /ɪ/ slightly in casual speech, making /tʃeɪsɪŋ/ sound like /tʃeɪsŋ/. Paying attention to the full /ɪŋ/ ending preserves clarity.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "chasing"!
US: rhotic tendencies affect the following /ɪŋ/ cluster; keep /ɪ/ stable before /ŋ/. UK: crisper /tʃ/ release, possibly slightly longer /eɪ/; AU: vowel height can be a touch lower, with a more centralized /ɪ/; maintain the diphthong /eɪ/ with a gentle glide. Transitions: ensure the tongue blade rises for /tʃ/ and fronts for /eɪ/, then relaxes for /s/ and /ɪŋ/. IPA cues: /ˈtʃeɪ.sɪŋ/.
Chasing derives from the present participle of chase, from Old French chacier, meaning to hunt or pursue, itself from Frankish or Germanic roots related to catching or driving away. The term appeared in Middle English as chassen or chasen, influenced by hunting language from Norman French following the Norman Conquest. Its semantic development moved from literal pursuit in hunting to broader figurative uses, such as pursuing goals or ambitions. By the 16th–17th centuries, English literature shows “chase” in contexts of both physical pursuit and metaphorical striving. The suffix -ing signals ongoing action, making chasing a dynamic participial form that emphasizes process over completion. In modern usage, chasing retains the sense of active effort toward a moving target, whether tangible or abstract, and often carries connotations of urgency, persistence, or nagging pursuit in colloquial speech.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "chasing" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "chasing" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "chasing" 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 "chasing"
-ing 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.
