3 syllables: net, work, ing. Stress on net.
NET-wur-king
/ˈnɛˌtwɝkɪŋ/
networking is pronounced NET-wur-king (/ˈnɛˌtwɝkɪŋ/). It has three syllables (net-work-ing), with the stress on "net". Networking refers to the act of creating, maintaining, and leveraging professional relationships to exchange information, opportunities, and support. It encompasses both formal activities (events, gatherings) and informal interactions, with emphasis on mutual benefit rather than transactional gains. In practice, you build connections, share knowledge, and foster collaborations that advance career or organizational goals.
Networking refers to the act of creating, maintaining, and leveraging professional relationships to exchange information, opportunities, and support. It encompasses both formal activities (events, gatherings) and informal interactions, with emphasis on mutual benefit rather than transactional gains. In practice, you build connections, share knowledge, and foster collaborations that advance career or organizational goals.
- You’ll often drop or blur the /t/ in NET, saying /ˈnɛwɜrkɪŋ/ or /ˈnetwɜːkɪŋ/ with an overly long /w/; correct by ensuring a short, crisp /t/ release before the /w/. - The /ɜː/ vowel can slide toward /ɜ/ or /ɛ/ depending on influence; aim for a steady mid-central vowel quality, with minimal lip rounding. - The ending -ing should be a light, quick nasal /ɪŋ/, not a prolonged syllable; avoid pronouncing as /-ING/ with heavy stress. - Many speakers stress the wrong syllable; remember NET is primary stress and KY is weak; keep the rhythm: NET-work-ing, with the strongest emphasis on NET, moderate on WORK, light on -ing.
"At the conference, she spent the evening networking with potential collaborators."
"The company encourages networking among employees to spark innovation."
"He built a strong professional network by attending industry meetups regularly."
Pronounce as /ˈnɛtˌwɜːkɪŋ/ in UK and US; AU commonly mirrors UK. The first syllable NET carries primary stress, followed by a lighter WER- in -working, with a reduced -ing ending. The sequence of sounds is neat-wer-king, with the /t/ released crisply and the /w/ blending into /ɜː/ before /k/. Tip: keep the /t/ crisp, the /w/ short, and avoid a strong /wɜː/ duplex cluster—let it flow from /t/ to /w/. Audio reference: listen to pronunciation on Pronounce or Forvo for native intonation.
Two frequent errors: (1) Flattening the /ˈnɛt/ into a flat /net/ with no voicing shifts; maintain clear /ɛ/ and the short /e/ vowel, not a long /eɪ/. (2) Overemphasizing the -ing ending, saying /ˈnɛtˌwɜːkɪŋ/ with a tense vowel before -king; aim for a relaxed /ɪŋ/ after /k/. Corrections: keep the primary stress on NET, relax the -wer- vowel to a mid-central /ɜː/ or /ɜ/ depending on accent, and let the final -ing be a quick, light /ɪŋ/ rather than a forceful syllable.
In US, /ˈnɛtˌwɜrkɪŋ/ with rhotic /ɜːr/ preceding -k; the /r/ is pronounced. UK often uses /ˈnɛtˌwɜːkɪŋ/ with non-rhoticity; some speakers may reduce the r after vowels. Australian typically follows US patterns but with shorter vowel quality and a more clipped /ɪŋ/; intonation may be flatter. Across all, the primary stress remains on NET, while the mid syllable carries the secondary stress. IPA references help: US /ˈnɛtˌwɜrkɪŋ/, UK /ˈnetˌwɜːkɪŋ/, AU /ˈnɛtˌwɜːkɪŋ/.
Key challenges: the consonant cluster /tˌw/ requires timely release and blending; the mid vowel /ɜː/ is a lax mid-central vowel that many learners cannot approximate easily, causing sounds to slide toward /ɪ/ or /ʌ/. The -ing suffix adds a nasal /ŋ/ that must stay soft and not steal from the preceding /ɪ/. Breaking the word into NET + WER + KING helps; focus on clean /t/ release, controlled /w/ onset, and a concise /ɜː/ before /k/.
Networking combines a stressed front syllable with a clustered mid-sequence (t-w) and an -ing suffix. The mouth positions shift quickly: alveolar /t/ release, bilabial /w/ onset, back vowel /ɜː/ or /ɜ/ before /k/, and final velar nasal /ŋ/. This combination often yields hesitation or mispronunciation if speakers try to simplify the /tɜː/ into /tɜː/ or /tɜŋ/. Focus on steady transitions and a crisp /t/ release.
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- US: rhotic /ɜː/ in /wɜrk/; keep r-coloring strong, but not aggressive. Vowel length is not lexically contrastive here; keep it short. - UK: often non-rhotic; /ˈnetˌwɜːkɪŋ/ still uses /ɜː/ before -k; ensure non-rhotic r at the end of syllables. - AU: US-like rhoticity with slightly flatter vowels; practice for a tighter /ɪ/ in /ɪŋ/ and quick transitions. Reference IPA /ˈnɛtˌwɜrkɪŋ/ (US), /ˈnetˌwɜːkɪŋ/ (UK), /ˈnɛtˌwɜːkɪŋ/ (AU).
Networking derives from the verb network, meaning to connect a system of intersecting lines or nodes. The noun form came into standard use in the mid-19th century, originally in technical contexts (e.g., railway networks, electrical networks). By the 20th century, the word broadened to describe the creation of social or professional connections, with the gerund networking often used to denote ongoing activities rather than a single event. The sense of exchanging information and resources among a network of individuals became central in business culture, particularly with the rise of professional societies and corporate mentoring programs. The term has since evolved to include digital and social media-driven networks, where online platforms enable broad, rapid, and targeted relationship-building. The word emphasizes the process: forming a network, nurturing it over time, and leveraging it for mutual benefit.
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Words that rhyme with "networking"
-ing sounds
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