2 syllables: ci, ting. Stress on ci.
SEYE-ting
/ˈsaɪtɪŋ/
citing is pronounced SEYE-ting (/ˈsaɪtɪŋ/). It has two syllables (ci-ting), with the stress on "ci". Citing refers to the act of mentioning a source or authority to support a claim, idea, or quotation, typically in academic or formal writing. It involves identifying the source clearly and presenting it in a standardized format. The term also appears in legal and professional contexts when referencing precedents or documentation.
Citing refers to the act of mentioning a source or authority to support a claim, idea, or quotation, typically in academic or formal writing. It involves identifying the source clearly and presenting it in a standardized format. The term also appears in legal and professional contexts when referencing precedents or documentation.
- You might flatten the /aɪ/ into a shorter vowel or misplace stress, leading to /ˈsaɪɪŋ/ or /siːtɪŋ/. To fix, hold the /aɪ/ diphthong fully: start at /a/ and glide to /ɪ/ quickly, then release the /t/ crisply before /ɪŋ/. - Another error is softening the /t/ into a light touch or replacing it with a glottal stop in rapid speech, giving /ˈsaɪʔɪŋ/. Practice with a full alveolar stop and release. - Some learners insert an extra vowel between /t/ and /ɪŋ/, producing /ˈsaɪ tɪ ɪŋ/. Ensure there’s no extra vowel; allow the /t/ to connect directly to the /ɪŋ/.
"The researcher was meticulous about citing all sources in the methods section."
"Teachers often cite studies to justify classroom strategies."
"When you cite a source, you must provide accurate publication details."
You pronounce it as /ˈsaɪtɪŋ/. The first syllable carries primary stress. Start with the “sigh” sound /saɪ/ from the long i, then a quick /t/ before the nasal /ŋ/. The tongue taps the alveolar ridge for /t/ and closes softly into the velar nasal /ŋ/. Practice by saying “sigh-ting” slowly, then blend. Audio example can be found on Forvo and major dictionaries.
Common errors include treating the second syllable as a separate word (say-ing) or misplacing the stress as /ˈtʃaɪtɪŋ/. The correct pattern is stressed first syllable /ˈsaɪ/ followed by a clear /tɪŋ/. Some speakers voice the /t/ too softly or insert an extra vowel between /t/ and /ɪ/ making /ˈsaɪ.tɪ.ŋ/. Focus on keeping /t/ crisp and avoiding a glottal stop before /t/.
In US pronunciation, /ˈsaɪtɪŋ/ with rhoticity generally keeps /ɹ/ in nearby phrases but not in the word itself. UK/AU share the same core vowel, but UK tends to have non-rhotic influence in connected speech; you might hear a slightly stronger alveolar plosive and less vowel quality variation. Australian English often has vowel shortening and a more relaxed final /ŋ/. Overall, the primary stress remains on the first syllable, with similar /ˈsaɪ/ onset.
The difficulty centers on the rapid transition from the stressed /saɪ/ to the voiceless alveolar plosive /t/ and the immediate velar nasal /ŋ/—a tight, quick sequence /tɪŋ/. The /t/ must be released crisply before the /ɪŋ/; many learners insert an extra vowel or delay the /t/. Also, the cluster at the end can blur in fast speech, so practice saying /ˈsaɪtɪŋ/ slowly and then at normal speed.
A unique aspect is maintaining the diphthong /aɪ/ in the first syllable across dialects while keeping a clean alveolar stop /t/ before the final /ɪŋ/. Some speakers may flatten the diphthong or misarticulate the /t/ as a flap or glottal stop in rapid speech; the goal is a crisp alveolar /t/ followed by a clear /ɪŋ/ without vowel intrusion.
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- US: maintain rhoticized speech in surrounding words but the word itself remains /ˈsaɪtɪŋ/. Emphasize a clear /t/ and short /ɪ/ before /ŋ/. - UK: non-rhotic tendencies in connected speech; ensure /ˈsaɪtɪŋ/ with a precise /t/ and avoid vowel lengthening before /ŋ/. - AU: can exhibit a slightly laxer jaw and a wider diphthong; keep the /aɪ/ as a tight rise and the /t/ release clean, then /ɪŋ/. - IPA references: /ˈsaɪtɪŋ/; note that some speakers may voice the /t/ more lightly in rapid speech; aim for a crisp, audible /t/.
Citing comes from the verb cite, which originates from the Latin citare “to summon, to set in motion, to name, to relate.” Latin citare is related to citatio “a citation, a quote,” from citus the past participle of dare “to give,” via the notion of summoning or naming a source. The English verb cite appeared in the 14th century with legal and scholarly senses, evolving from “summon” and “quote.” Over time, the term broadened in academic usage to include standardized referencing formats (APA, MLA, Chicago) and in legal contexts to refer to precedents or authorities. The present participle citing as a gerund/participle has been common since the 16th–18th centuries in scholarly prose, aligning with the rise of formal citation practices in academia and jurisprudence.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "citing" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "citing" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "citing"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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