2 syllables: in, clined. Stress on clined.
in-KLEYEND
/ˌɪnˈklaɪnd/
inclined is pronounced in-KLEYEND (/ˌɪnˈklaɪnd/). It has two syllables (in-clined), with the stress on "clined". Inclined means having a tendency or inclination toward something; likely or disposed to think, feel, or act in a certain way. It can also describe a slope or tilt. The term conveys probability or readiness, as in a person who is inclined to agree, or an inclined plane in geometry. It is commonly used in formal and academic contexts as well as everyday language.
Inclined means having a tendency or inclination toward something; likely or disposed to think, feel, or act in a certain way. It can also describe a slope or tilt. The term conveys probability or readiness, as in a person who is inclined to agree, or an inclined plane in geometry. It is commonly used in formal and academic contexts as well as everyday language.
- Forgetting the second-syllable stress: many learners say in-KLIND or IN-klind; keep the stress on 'clined' as /ˈklaɪnd/. - Flattening the /aɪ/ to a simple /i:/ or /ɪ/: this reduces the natural diphthong. Practice with word pairs that emphasize /aɪ/ vs /i:/ like ‘high’ vs ‘he’, then apply in 'inclined.' - Blurring the final /nd/: learners sometimes turn /nd/ into /n/ or /d/ only. Resist; clearly articulate /n/ then a light /d/ release. - Skipping the short /ɪ/ in the first syllable: ensure you begin with a light /ɪ/ before the diphthong. Regularly rehearse with minimal pairs that check /ɪn/ vs /ɪŋ/ and /klaɪnd/ vs /klɪnd/.
"She was inclined to agree with the proposal after considering the evidence."
"The ramp is gently inclined to ensure accessibility."
"Historically, the scientist was inclined toward a theory that explained the anomaly."
Pronounce as inˈklʌɪnd with the stress on the second syllable? Wait—correct form is inˈklaɪnd. The word is two phonemes: /ɪn/ + /ˈklaɪnd/. The primary stress sits on the second syllable, ‘clined.’ The first syllable is a quick, light /ɪn/. Lips start relaxed, then the jaw closes slightly for the diphthong /aɪ/ in the second syllable. A little palatal glide follows into the final /nd/ consonants. You can think of it as “in-KLAIND.” Audio reference: listen to pronunciation in dictionaries or pronunciation videos for confirmation.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress as /ˈɪn.klaɪnd/ or over-emphasizing /n/ in the first syllable. Another error is pronouncing the diphthong as a pure /ɪ/ or /iː/, like /ɪnˈkliːnd/. The most critical fix is ensuring the /aɪ/ is a true diphthong in the second syllable and that the /nd/ is a clear alveolar nasal followed by a voiced or voiceless alveolar stop? Note: /nd/ is produced with a light release, not a heavy glottal stop. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the /aɪ/ quality and the final /nd/ flow.
In US, UK, and AU, the core /ɪn/ + /ˈklaɪnd/ is similar, but rhoticity can tilt vowel quality slightly in US, making the /ɪn/ sound more r-colored in some dialects before a following /r/ or other vowels; for inclined alone, rhoticity is minimal. UK and AU typically maintain non-rhotic patterns, keeping /ɪn/ and /aɪ/ crisp without extra r-coloring. AU may have a bit more open /aɪ/ due to vowel shift tendencies, but the /nd/ cluster remains tight and the overall pitch/intonation can be slightly higher than US in some Australian varieties.
The challenge lies in the two distinct vowel sounds: the short /ɪ/ in the first syllable and the prominent diphthong /aɪ/ in the second. The transition from the /n/ to /k/ onset in the second syllable requires precise tongue movement, and the /nd/ cluster at the end tests timing and airflow. For non-native speakers, the risk is merging /ɪn/ with /ɪŋ/ or misplacing the stress. Focusing on the /ˈklaɪnd/ portion—especially the /aɪ/ diphthong and the release into /nd/—will address most difficulties.
A unique feature is the two-syllable stress pattern where the second syllable carries the emphasis. A practical tip: practice 'in-KLAIND' with a deliberate pre-voice: say 'in' quickly, then 'KLAIND' with a crisp /aɪ/ glide and a quick, clean /nd/ closure. Visualize the mouth forming a small /i/ in the first syllable and opening into a wide /aɪ/ in the second. This makes the transition feel natural and helps you avoid truncating the second syllable.
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- US: crisp, slightly more rhotic influence but keep /ɪn/ clean; ensure /aɪ/ is open and dynamic without delaying into /iː/. - UK: retain non-rhoticity; hold /ɪn/ subtly and allow /ˈklaɪnd/ to land with a strong /aɪ/, moderate rhythm. - AU: similar to UK but may show a higher, more open /aɪ/ and slightly broader vowel spread; keep the final /nd/ tight. IPA cues: US /ɪnˈklaɪnd/, UK /ɪnˈklaɪnd/, AU /ɪnˈklaɪnd/.
Inclined comes from the Latin inclinare, meaning to bend or incline; in Latin, in- means 'toward' and -clinare means 'to bend.' This root evolved through Old French enclin, with the sense of bending toward a particular view or tendency. In Middle English, inclined appeared with sense shifts toward physical tilting as well as figurative tilt toward opinions or actions. By the 16th century, it had solidified into common usage to describe both slopes and dispositions. The term’s geographic spread followed Latin scholarly borrowings into European languages and later into English through academic and scientific discourse, where precise nuance—whether a physical incline or a mental tendency—became important for distinguishing between measurement and metaphor. The core sense remains a tilt toward; the word has retained both literal and figurative usage in modern English, with slight shifts depending on domain: mathematics and physics emphasize the slope, while psychology and daily speech emphasize willingness or preference.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "inclined" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "inclined"
-ded sounds
-ned sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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