3 syllables: de, scend, ing. Stress on scend.
dis-EN-ding
/dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/
descending is pronounced dis-EN-ding (/dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/). It has three syllables (de-scend-ing), with the stress on "scend". Descending refers to moving downward or falling from a higher position or level. In linguistics or math, it describes a sequence arranged from higher to lower values. The term can also describe a downward trend or slope. It is often used as an adjective or verb form in various contexts, including descent in travel or data patterns.
Descending refers to moving downward or falling from a higher position or level. In linguistics or math, it describes a sequence arranged from higher to lower values. The term can also describe a downward trend or slope. It is often used as an adjective or verb form in various contexts, including descent in travel or data patterns.
"The airplane began descending as it approached the runway."
"Prices have been descending steadily over the past quarter."
"She felt her confidence descending after the criticism."
Pronounce as /dɪˈsɛn.dɪŋ/. The primary stress is on the second syllable: de-SEND-ing, with a clear 'sen' as in 'send' and a soft final 'ing'.
Common errors: (1) Stress misplaced on the first syllable (de-SENDING) or a weak middle vowel. (2) Flapping or reducing the middle vowel, turning /ˈsɛn/ into a schwa. (3) Final 'ing' pronounced as 'in' or 'ing' without the /ŋ/. Correction: keep /ˈsɛn/ strong and end with /dɪŋ/, not /dɪn/. Minimize vowel reduction in the middle syllable by opening the mouth slightly for /ɛ/.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress remains on syllable 2, but vowel quality varies: US /dɪˈsɛn.dɪŋ/ uses a lax /ɪ/ in the first vowel and a clear /ɛ/ in the stressed syllable; UK often keeps /ɪ/ in the first vowel and a crisper /ɛ/; AU tends toward a slightly broader vowel for /ɪ/ and a sharper /d/ before the final /ɪŋ/. Rhoticity does affect preceding r-colored vowels only if followed by r; here there is none.
The challenge lies in transitioning from the stressed /ˈsɛn/ to the final /dɪŋ/ without reducing the /e/ to a schwa and maintaining a clean /ŋ/ rather than an alveolar nasal. The sequence requires precise timing: a strong middle vowel, then a rapid, voiced stop /d/ followed quickly by the velar nasal /ŋ/. Lip tension and jaw openness must adjust between the /ɛn/ and the /d/.
A key distinctive feature is the combination of a mid-front vowel in the stressed syllable and the crisp transition to the alveolar stop /d/ before the velar nasal /ŋ/. It’s not just the word’s spelling, but the smooth linking of /ɛn/ to /dɪŋ/. Practice ensuring the /d/ is fully voiced and that the /ŋ/ is velar and soft rather than nasalized too early.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "descending"!
Descending derives from the verb descend, which comes from the Latin descendere, meaning to go down or to come from above. The Latin component de- means “down,” while scandere means “to climb.” Over time, English borrowed descend and its present participle form descending. The word has long been used in both physical and figurative senses—moving downward, decreasing in magnitude, or following a lower rank or order. In Medieval and early modern English, descendants or descents were common, and the participial form descended evolved to describe ongoing downward motion or sequence. The sense of a downward trajectory in mathematics and data is well established by the 17th-19th centuries as calculus and statistics matured. In everyday usage, descending appears in travel and geography (descending slopes), in music theory (descending scales), and in computer science (data values descending in a sort). The word’s flexibility has ensured its continued prominence as both a verb and a participial adjective in technical and colloquial contexts.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "descending" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "descending" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "descending" 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 "descending"
-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.
