4 syllables: De, mon, stra, tive. Stress on mon.
dim-AHN-struh-tiv
/dɪˈmɑnstɹətɪv/
Demonstrative is pronounced dim-AHN-struh-tiv (/dɪˈmɑnstɹətɪv/). It has four syllables (De-mon-stra-tive), with the stress on "mon". Demonstrative is a noun referring to a word or gesture that points to or indicates a person, thing, or idea. In grammar, it functions as a demonstrative determiner or pronoun, signaling which item is being referred to (this, that, these, those). It also describes the act or tool used to demonstrate something. The term emphasizes pointing out or illustrating reference within discourse.
nounDemonstrative is a noun referring to a word or gesture that points to or indicates a person, thing, or idea. In grammar, it functions as a demonstrative determiner or pronoun, signaling which item is being referred to (this, that, these, those). It also describes the act or tool used to demonstrate something. The term emphasizes pointing out or illustrating reference within discourse.
Tips: practice with syllable tapping to feel the rhythm: De-məN-STRAY-tiv; say it slowly at first, then speed up. Record yourself and compare to a native speaker; listen for the /str/ cluster and final /v/ energy. Use tongue twisters that emphasize de- and -strative endings. If you’re unsure, isolate the middle: mæn-STRay with a strong release on /t/ before /ɪv/. Maintain a relaxed jaw to avoid stiff, unnatural sounds. Consistent practice will improve timing and reduce vowel reduction in the weak forms.
"• In the classroom, the teacher handed out demonstratives like this and these to show examples."
"• The demonstrative gesture helped everyone understand which object was being discussed."
"• She used a demonstrative pronoun to replace the noun after mentioning it."
Pronounce as /ˌdɛmənˈstreɪtɪv/. The primary stress falls on the third syllable “STRAY,” with secondary stress on the first syllable. Start with a short /d/ followed by /ɛ/ (as in 'bet'), then /mən/ (the slash indicates a schwa in the unstressed second syllable). The final /tɪv/ ends with a light /v/ and a short /ɪ/. In connected speech, you may hear the middle vowels reduced slightly; keep the /streɪ/ cluster crisp to avoid blending with neighboring words.
Common errors include misplacing stress, producing /ˌdɛməˈneɪtɪv/ with the stress on the wrong syllable, and turning the /str/ cluster into a slower, separated sequence. Some speakers flatten the /ɪ/ in the final syllable to /iː/ or merge /tn/ into a single sound. To correct: rehearse with the stress on the third syllable /ˌdɛmənˈstreɪtɪv/ and keep /str/ tight as in ‘street,’ then finish with a light /v/ rather than a voiced 'f' sound. Practice chunking: De-məN-STRAY-tiv with steady amplitude.
In US, UK, and AU accents, the main variation is vowel quality around /streɪ/. US tends to a flatter /æ/ before /mən/ and prominent rhoticity in surrounding vowels; UK often keeps a slightly more clipped /ˈstreɪtɪv/ with non-rhotic tendency in some dialects, while AU mirrors UK but with broader vowel tendencies. The primary stress remains on the third syllable in all three, but the preceding /ə/ might reduce differently (US: weaker; UK/AU: slightly fuller). The /ɪ/ may be lighter in AU. Overall, the word remains recognizable with /ˌdɛmənˈstreɪtɪv/ in all accents, with emphasis on the STRA- syllable.
Difficulties arise from the multi-syllabic structure, the consonant cluster /str/ after the stressed syllable, and the unstressed /ə/ (schwa) in the second syllable. Coordinating the reduced vowel with the strong /streɪ/ sequence can cause mispronunciation or hesitation. Practically, you must maintain precise tongue position for /str/ without letting the following /eɪ/ slide into a diphthong beyond /streɪ/. Focus on keeping the /t/ final crisp and avoiding elongation of the first syllables.
There is no silent letter in Demonstrative. Every syllable bears a recognizable vowel sound: /ˌdɛmənˈstreɪtɪv/. The challenge is not silent letters but maintaining rhythm, accurate stress, and crisp /str/ consonant cluster after the primary stress. Ensure the final /v/ remains voiced and clear to avoid trailing into a vowel-like finish. Regular IPA practice helps confirm that each segment contributes to the overall rhythm and meaning.
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General tips: maintain the central schwa in /mən/ quickly but clearly; use IPA cues: /ˌdɛmənˈstreɪtɪv/. Focus on the transition from /m/ to /ə/ to /n/ and then the strong /str/ onset of the stressed syllable. Practicing with minimal pairs (mən vs mə) can tighten the unstressed vowel quality. Record across contexts to hear how intonation interacts with the word in sentences.
Demonstrative derives from Middle English demonstratif, borrowed from Old French demonstratif, from Late Latin demonstrativus, from Latin demonstrare “to point out, show.” The root words demonstrate and demonstrou(r) come from Latin demonstrare “to point out, show, expose,” itself built from the prefix de- (out, thoroughly) and monstrare “to show, reveal.” By the 15th century, demonstrativus entered English to describe words or gestures used to indicate something specific in discourse. Over time, the term expanded beyond grammar to describe actions and devices that provide examples or illustrate arguments. In modern linguistics, demonstratives are categorized as deictic determiners and pronouns, including this/these and that/those, with various cross-linguistic parallels. The word has retained its core sense of pointing or showing, even as usage broadened into conventional grammar and semantics. First known use in English dates to the late 1500s, aligning with the rise of formal grammar terminology in Early Modern English. Widely adopted in technical linguistics in the 19th and 20th centuries, it remains a precise label for reference-marking items in discourse and analysis.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Demonstrative" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Demonstrative"
-ive sounds
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