2 syllables: in, takes. Stress on in.
/ˈɪnˌteɪks/
Say it backIntakes, in plural form, refers to the act or instance of taking in something, such as air, information, or nutrients, or to the places where such intake occurs (e.g., air intakes on machinery). It denotes a collection or amount received, intake processes, or a supply of resources. The term is commonly used in contexts like health, engineering, and nutrition, and may describe the rate or volume of uptake.
- You’ll often misplace the stress by saying in-TAKES; ensure primary stress on IN- (first syllable). - Don’t skip the /t/ before /ks/; make a brief stop and then release into /ks/. - Avoid reducing the /eɪ/ to a short /e/; keep the diphthong as /eɪ/ for clarity. - Don’t merge the two syllables into one; keep clear boundary between IN and takes to preserve two-syllable rhythm.
"The rocket's air intakes are designed to prevent debris from entering during launch."
"Annual nutrient intakes are assessed to evaluate dietary adequacy."
"The car's side intakes help channel airflow for cooling."
Pronounce as /ˈɪnˌteɪks/. The first syllable carries primary stress: IN. The second syllable sounds like TAYKS, with /teɪ/ as the vowel diphthong and final /ks/ cluster. In rapid speech, the two syllables remain distinct but may link slightly: ˈɪnˌteɪks. Mouth positions: start with a relaxed jaw, high front lax /ɪ/; then raise the tongue to mid-front for /eɪ/ while closing the lips minimally for /ks/. Listen for a crisp /k/ before the /s/.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress, saying in-TAKES; keep primary stress on the first syllable: IN-takes. (2) Skipping the /t/ or turning it into a glottal stop before /ks/, yielding IN-æks. (3) Vowel quality shifts, pronouncing /ɪ/ as a lax schwa; aim for /ɪ/ in the first syllable and /eɪ/ in the second. Corrections: emphasize the /ˈɪn/ onset with a clean transition to /teɪ/; clearly articulate the /k/ before the /s/ to avoid /ks/ blend sounding like /k/ only.
In US/UK/AU, the main difference lies in the vowel /eɪ/ quality and rhythm. US tends to a slightly higher, tenser /eɪ/; UK often a slightly rounded, longer diphthong; AU may reduce the first syllable slightly and maintain a clear /eɪ/ with less precise /ɪ/ vowel. All share primary stress on the first syllable: IN-takes. Final /ks/ is a voiceless cluster; avoid voice assimilation.
Difficulties come from the consonant cluster /t/ + /ks/ and the diphthong /eɪ/ that requires precise tongue height control. The sequence requires a quick, clean transition from the vowel /ɪ/ to the diphthong /eɪ/ and then a crisp /k/ before /s/. Beginners often blend /t/ and /k/ or drop the /t/ altogether, producing /ˈɪneɪs/ or /ˈɪnteɪs/. Focusing on segmented practice helps secure accurate articulation.
A unique point is the potential for the plural to function as a subject in technical contexts (e.g., ‘The intakes are clogged’). The second syllable’s vowel is a stable /eɪ/ in most dialects, while rapid speech can merge syllables slightly, producing a smoother INteiks. Be mindful of context: when referring to inputs in a system vs. intake events in nutrition, the accompanying verbs and adjectives can guide the rhythm and stress.
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- US: /ˈɪnˌteɪks/ with a bright, slightly tense /eɪ/; keep rhoticity neutral in connected speech. - UK: /ˈɪnˌteɪks/ with a potentially slightly longer /iː/ then /eɪ/ and more clipped /t/; softer /r/ absence. - AU: /ˈɪnˌteɪks/ similar to US, but you may hear a more centralized or flattened /ɪ/ and a less precise final /ks/. IPA reminders: /ɪ/ in first syllable, /eɪ/ in second, final /ks/ cluster. - General tip: practice with minimal pairs to lock in vowel length and glide shape. - Stress: keep strong initial stress; ensure subsequent syllable is clearly spoken.
Intake comes from the mid-16th century, from intake in the sense of “the act of taking a thing in; admission,” derived from late Old English intake (noun) formed from in- (into) + take (to seize, grasp). The plural form intakes follows standard English pluralization. The verb take has Germanic roots (Old English tacian, from Proto-Germanic *takjan), and intake extends this semantic field to the action of drawing something in or receiving it. In engineering, “air intake” metaphorically expands the sense to channels or openings that allow substances like air, water, or gas to be introduced into a system; in nutrition or physiology, it applies to the intake of nutrients or information. Over time, intakes have become a generic term across fields to denote capacity, input, or the act of intake, with collocations such as air intakes, nutrient intakes, information intakes, and intake measurements becoming standard in technical writing and health contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "intakes" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "intakes"
-kes sounds
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