/pɚˈteɪnz/
Say it backPertains is a verb meaning to have reference or relevance to something; to relate to or concern a particular matter. It is typically used in formal or academic contexts to indicate applicability or relevance to a topic. The word emphasizes that a statement or argument is connected to the subject at hand, rather than being unrelated or tangential.
"The article pertains to climate policy and its impact on coastal communities."
"Her remarks pertain to the recent financial report and its implications."
"Only the section pertaining to safety protocols is relevant to this discussion."
Pertains is pronounced /pərˈteɪnz/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the second syllable. Break it as per-TAYNZ. The first syllable is a reduced «per» with a schwa, and the final is a voiced z-nucleus. In careful speech, end with a clear /z/ sound; in faster speech you may hear a slight assimilation toward a single syllable closer to /pɚˈteɪnz/. IPA: US /pərˈteɪnz/, UK /pəˈteɪnz/; AU follows /pəˈteɪnz/.”,
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (saying per-TAINZ with emphasis on the first syllable) and mispronouncing the diphthong as /eɪ/ without the correct following /nz/. To correct: keep the stress on the second syllable (per-TAYNZ), ensure the /ɔː/ or /oʊ/ quality isn’t substituted; end with a clear /nz/ rather than /n/ or /z/ alone. Practice by isolating the second syllable: /teɪnz/ and blend smoothly into the first with a schwa: /pərˈteɪnz/.”,
US: /pərˈteɪnz/ with rhotacized first syllable and clear /eɪ/ in the stressed syllable. UK: /pəˈteɪnz/ with non-rhoticity in broader accents but not affecting this stressed syllable; AU: /pəˈteɪnz/ similar to UK, with vowels tending toward clipped, but still diphthong /eɪ/. Overall, the main difference is the quality of the first syllable vowel and the presence or absence of r-coloring in the first syllable depending on the accent. IPA references: US /pɚˈteɪnz/, UK /pəˈteɪnz/, AU /pəˈteɪnz/.
The difficulty lies in the combination of a reduced, unstressed first syllable with a strong stress on the second syllable, plus the final /nz/ cluster which demands precise tongue positioning to avoid a shifted /ns/ or /nz/ mispronunciation. The /ɚ/ or /ə/ in the first syllable can be challenging for non-native speakers, and the diphthong /eɪ/ requires careful mouth widening and jaw movement. Mastering the flow from /ər/ to /eɪ/ to /nz/ helps clarity.
A unique question might be: Is there a difference in pronouncing pertain vs. pertaining? For pertain as a base verb, the third-person singular form pertains adds an -s, leading to pronounced /ˈpɜːrpeɪnz/? No—the actual is /pərˈteɪnz/ with stress shift to –tains, but pertaining adds -ing, pronounced /pərˈteɪnɪŋ/. The specific difference is the vowel quality of the second syllable and the -s ending in pertaining forms vs pertain. For pertain(s), keep the /teɪnz/ portion steady.
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Pertains derives from the verb pertain, which comes from Middle French pertainre or pertainir, and ultimately from Latin pertinere, meaning to stretch toward, belong to, or relate to. The Latin pertinere is a compound of per- (through, toward) plus tenere (to hold). The sense evolved in English to mean “to relate to by belonging or appertaining.” In the 15th to 17th centuries, pertain appeared in legal and scholarly writings to indicate relevance or applicability of a clause to a subject. Over time, it retained a formal tone and is common in academic, legal, and administrative registers. The spelling and pronunciation stabilized in Early Modern English, with the third-person singular form pertaining used widely in formal prose, and pertain as the base verb. The noun form pertaining is less common but used in phrases like “the matters pertaining to….” Modern usage keeps the sense of relevance, applicability, or bearing on a topic, whether in policy documents, research articles, or analytical essays.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "pertains" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "pertains"
-ins sounds
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