Multitasking is the act of handling more than one task at the same time. It is commonly used to describe the ability to divide attention across concurrent activities, often in work or digital environments. In everyday speech, it can refer to performing several routines simultaneously, or to discuss the efficiency or drawbacks of doing so in various contexts.
US: pronounce /ˌməl.tiˈtæs.kɪŋ/ with rhotic influence in connected speech; UK: non-rhotic tendency, keep /r/ silent, maintain /tæ/ vs /tɑː/ variations in -task-; AU: similar to UK but can show broader vowel in -tas- depending on region; emphasize /æ/ vs /ɑː/ and keep /ŋ/ crisp; IPA references help make precise adjustments across accents.
"She manages her schedule and emails while preparing coffee, a classic example of multitasking."
"The course discusses the benefits and downsides of multitasking in high-pressure jobs."
"He learned to multitask effectively, switching between calls and data entry without losing focus."
"Researchers argue that true multitasking is limited; people often switch tasks rapidly rather than truly doing them at once."
Multitasking derives from the prefix multi- meaning many, and task, which comes from the Old French tasche or tasken dating to the 14th century, with Latin roots in tackus meaning assignment. The formation multitasking appears in the late 20th century, largely associated with computer science and later popularized by workplace psychology. The early sense referred to computers performing multiple processes concurrently, then extended to human behavior describing the ability (or attempt) to perform several tasks at once. Over time, the term has acquired nuanced interpretations in productivity discourse: it can imply efficiency through parallel processing or, conversely, decreased accuracy and cognitive load due to divided attention. First known usage in print can be traced to technical or managerial texts from the 1960s–1980s, but it gained common usage with the rise of personal computing and modern work environments where multitasking has become a typical expectation.
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Words that rhyme with "Multitasking"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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US/UK/AU pronunciation centers stress on the second syllable of task: /ˌməl.tiˈtæs.kɪŋ/ (US) ≈ /ˌmᵊl.tiˈtæs.kɪŋ/. Break it into three parts: mul- /ˈmʌl/ (or /ˈmɪl/ in fast speech), ti- /ti/, -task- /tæs/ with a short a, -ing /ɪŋ/. Keep the first consonant cluster /m/ with relaxed lips, then move to a clear /tæs/ for the stressed syllable. Audio reference: you can compare with familiar words like multitask- ing in Pronounce or Forvo to hear the stress toward -task-.
Two common errors: 1) Shifting stress to the first syllable (mul-TI- task-ing) which softens the natural emphasis; correct by rehearsing the stressed -task-: /ˌməl.tiˈtæs.kɪŋ/. 2) Vowel reduction in the first syllable (almost schwa) leading to /ˈməl.tɪ.tæs.kɪŋ/ instead of the stable /ˌməl.tiˈtæs.kɪŋ/. Practice by isolating /ˈməl/ and then linking to /tæs/.
US typically uses /ˌməl.tiˈtæs.kɪŋ/ with a rhotic /r/ only in connected speech; UK and AU standard avoid strong rhoticity in careful speech, yielding /ˌmʌl.tiˈtæskɪŋ/ or /ˌmʌl.tiˈtæs.kɪŋ/ depending on truncation; AU often leans toward /ˌmʌl.tiˈtɑːskɪŋ/ in some regions, with a broader vowel in -tas- due to non-rhotic tendencies. Pay attention to vowel quality in -task- and the potential /æ/ vs /ɑː/ splits.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of consonant clusters and the unstressed but still audible -task- segment. The first syllable /ˈməl/ tends to merge quickly with /ti/, and the strong /æ/ in /tæs/ can be challenging if you’re moving from softer American schwa in prior syllables. Also, rapid speech can reduce clarity of /tæs/ leading to /tæs.kɪŋ/ blending. Focus on crisp /tæ/ and maintain a steady rhythm across the three syllables.
Does the 'ti' in multitasking effectively act as a syllabic bridge, and how should you articulate it in rapid speech? In careful speech you articulate /ti/ as a distinct syllable between /ˈməl/ and /tæs/, but in fast delivery it can segment into a light /tʃ/-like release or a quick glide leading to /tɪ/ or even elided /tɪ/ in casual fast talk. Aim for a clear /ti/ to preserve the second syllable’s stress and avoid misplacing the emphasis.
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