2 syllables: here, by. Stress on by.
hir-BEYE
/hɪˈɹbaɪ/
hereby is pronounced hir-BEYE (/hɪˈɹbaɪ/). It has two syllables (here-by), with the stress on "by". Hereby is an adverb meaning 'by this means' or 'as a result of this,' often used in formal or legal contexts. It functions to introduce a formal declaration or action that is carried out by the statement itself. In practical terms, it signals that what is being stated has immediate effect or consequence, typically in official documents or procedures.
Hereby is an adverb meaning 'by this means' or 'as a result of this,' often used in formal or legal contexts. It functions to introduce a formal declaration or action that is carried out by the statement itself. In practical terms, it signals that what is being stated has immediate effect or consequence, typically in official documents or procedures.
"The contractor hereby agrees to complete the work by the agreed date."
"You are hereby notified that your contract will be terminated unless compliance is achieved."
"The broadcaster hereby reserves the right to edit for time and content."
Hereby is pronounced as /ˈhɜːr.baɪ/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the first syllable: HER-by. The first syllable has a mid-back to back-central vowel /ɜː/ (like 'bird' without the r-coloring in non-rhotic accents). The second syllable is /baɪ/ (like 'by'). In Australian English, it's similar: /ˈhɜː.baɪ/ with the same stress pattern. To produce it clearly, start with a rounded, relaxed jaw for /ɜː/, then glide into /baɪ/ with a light, fast release on /ɪ/ near-diphthong end.
Common errors include treating it as two separate content words with weak linkage, saying /hɪəri/ or /hɪər.baɪ/ with extra syllables, and reversing the syllable stress. Correct by maintaining primary stress on HER and producing /ˈhɜːr.baɪ/ with a single, clean /ɜː/ vowel in the first syllable and a crisp /baɪ/ in the second. Keep the /r/ light in non-rhotic accents; in some British varieties, you can avoid fully rhotacizing the first syllable. Practice linking the sounds smoothly to avoid a choppy two-beat rhythm.
In US, UK, and AU, the primary stress remains on the first syllable: /ˈhɜːr.baɪ/. The main difference is vowel quality: US rhotic pronunciations may show a slightly darker /ɜːr/ with more rhotic coloring; UK often features a shorter /ɜː/ before an unstressed /r/ in rhotic varieties; AU tends toward a broader /ɜː/ with a crisp /baɪ/. The second syllable /baɪ/ generally remains stable as /baɪ/ across accents. Overall, the difference is subtle and more about vowel length and rhotic articulation than phoneme changes.
The difficulty lies in achieving a clear first-syllable /ɜː/ with proper mouth shape and avoiding an over-elongated or reduced vowel, plus producing a quick, clean /baɪ/ without backward glottalization. The blending between /r/ (in rhotic accents) and a tense /ɜː/ can challenge non-native speakers. Additionally, the formal cadence and stress placement on the first syllable require precise timing so the word leads into the following clause without a lag.
A unique aspect is the fixed strong stress on the first syllable, creating a strong syllabic peak that leads into a rapid /baɪ/ of the second syllable. This can feel unusual because many adverbs in everyday speech are unstressed. You can feel the mouth open into a mid-back /ɜː/ and then snap to a quick /baɪ/. Focus on keeping the /ɜː/ stable and avoiding an unnecessary diphthongization of the first vowel. IPA reference: /ˈhɜːr.baɪ/.
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Hereby originated in Middle English as a compound of here + by, with the sense of something happening by means of this action or document. The word leverages a common legalistic construction where the entire clause functions as a descriptor of the result of the current act. Historically, here + by appears in legal and administrative texts to signal immediacy and authority, akin to ‘by this’ or ‘by means of this instrument.’ Over time, hereby established itself as a fixed adverbial formula in formal English, particularly in decrees, notices, and contracts. Its usage has remained stable in legal and official language, preserving a sense of formal immediacy. First known uses appear in medieval and early modern English documents, where official proclamations and agreements required compact, assertive phrasing. The compound form emphasizes action performed in connection with the document or statement, rather than as a separate, pre-existing condition. Today, hereby occurs most frequently in legal, administrative, and formal communications, maintaining its precise, ceremonious tone.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "hereby" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "hereby"
-rby sounds
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