4 syllables: Im, per, a, tive. Stress on per.
im-PER-uh-tiv
/ˌɪˈmpɛɹətɪv/
Imperative is pronounced im-PER-uh-tiv (/ˌɪˈmpɛɹətɪv/). It has four syllables (Im-per-a-tive), with the stress on "per". Imperative is an adjective describing something crucial, essential, or giving an order that must be obeyed. In grammar, it relates to commands or exhortations. This term conveys urgency and necessity, often used in formal or instructional contexts to signal requirements or strong recommendations.
adjectiveImperative is an adjective describing something crucial, essential, or giving an order that must be obeyed. In grammar, it relates to commands or exhortations. This term conveys urgency and necessity, often used in formal or instructional contexts to signal requirements or strong recommendations.
"It is imperative that you arrive on time for the safety briefing."
"The company issued an imperative directive to reduce emissions immediately."
"In critical situations, swift action is imperative to prevent further harm."
Imperative is pronounced with four syllables: im- PER- a-tive. In IPA: US ɪmˈpɛr.ə.tɪv, UK ɪmˈpeə.rə.tɪv, AU ɪmˈpeə.rə.tɪv. The primary stress is on the second syllable. Start with a short, lax initial /ɪ/, then a clear /ˈpɛr/ or /ˈpeə/ depending on accent, then a schwa-like /ə/ before the final /tɪv/. Ensure the /r/ is pronounced where your accent uses rhoticity; in non-rhotic accents, the /r/ in the second syllable is less prominent or omitted before a consonant.
Two frequent errors: 1) Dropping the middle syllable or misplacing stress (e.g., im-PER-ative is correct; treating it as IM-per-a-tive or im-per-A-tive). 2) Merging the final -ive too sharply as -v or -iv instead of the light -tɪv sound. Correction tips: keep the /ər/ cluster clear in the second syllable and release the final /tɪv/ with a light touch of the tongue tip to avoid a fricative blend. Practice with minimal pairs like 'imperative' vs 'impartial' to feel the rhythm.
US: /ɪmˈpɛr.ə.tɪv/ with rhotic /r/ in the second syllable. UK: /ɪmˈpeə.rə.tɪv/ often non-rhotic; the second syllable features a clear diphthong /eə/. AU: /ɪmˈpɪə.rə.tɪv/ or /ɪmˈpeə.rə.tɪv/, with emphasizes similar to UK, but vowels tend to be broader and more centralized. All share the stressed second syllable; the key differences lie in rhoticity and vowel quality in the second syllable.
The difficulty comes from the multi-syllable structure with a mid-stressed second syllable and the final -ive cluster. The second syllable /ˈpɛr/ or /ˈpeə/ requires precise vowel quality and, in rhotic varieties, an audible /r/ that may be subtle in non-rhotic accents. Ending with /tɪv/ can prompt a rapid, light consonant release; many learners flatten the final /ɪv/ into a murmur. Focus on separating the three core syllables and maintaining even rhythm.
Imperative stresses the second syllable strongly, with a crisp /t/ onset before the final /ɪv/ that often lands softly. The /r/ in the US is rhotic and should be pronounced clearly, whereas UK listeners may not hear a strong /r/ in non-rhotic varieties. Also, the first syllable starts with a short metonymic 'im' sound; avoid drawing it out. The combination of vowel quality in the second syllable and the final sonority makes the overall rhythm distinctive.
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US: rhotic /r/ in second syllable; keep /r/ audible but not overemphasized. UK: often non-rhotic; the second syllable may be /ˈpeə/ with a lengthened vowel; keep final /tɪv/ light. AU: vowels are broader; the second syllable often closer to /ˈpɪə/ or /ˈpeə/; maintain crisp /t/ release. IPA references: US ɪmˈpɛr.ə.tɪv, UK ɪmˈpeə.rə.tɪv, AU ɪmˈpɪə.rə.tɪv. Focus on keeping stress stable across accents while adjusting vowel height and rhoticity.
Imperative comes from the Latin imperativus, meaning 'commanding' or 'of command.' It derives from imperare, meaning 'to command' (im-, 'in, upon' + parare, 'to prepare' in a sense of ordering). The early Latin term passed into Middle English via Old French imperatif and directly described grammatical mood used for issuing commands. The word evolved to attach to situations conveying necessity or obligation beyond grammatical mood, absorbing broader meanings like essentiality and urgent need. Historically, it has maintained its core sense of authority and indispensability, increasingly used in academic, scientific, and policy languages to mark mandatory actions or high-priority recommendations. First known uses appear in grammatical texts and formal directives from the late medieval period, widening in modern English to cover both linguistic mood and general exhortation or requirement.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Imperative" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Imperative"
-ive sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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