Pro tempore is a Latin phrase meaning 'for the time being.' In formal parliamentary use, it designates a temporary holding position or presiding duty until a permanent official is appointed. The term is commonly used in legislatures and legal contexts, often alongside the person serving in a temporary capacity. It is typically spoken with emphasis on the second word in English usage.
"The Pro Tempore of the Senate announced the session would reconvene after lunch."
"During the transition, the Pro Tempore will preside over the chamber’s proceedings."
"The designation of Pro Tempore is often ceremonial, pending a permanent appointment."
"She served as Pro Tempore until a new chair was elected."
Pro tempore originates from Latin, literally meaning 'for the time.' Pro is a preposition meaning 'for,' and tempore is the ablative of tempus, meaning 'time.' In classical Latin and medieval usage, pro tempore indicated temporary authority or a placeholder appointment. In modern English, the phrase migrated from parliamentary Latin to common legislative jargon, often used in reference to an acting official who serves only until a permanent officeholder is chosen. The first known uses in English appear in legal and parliamentary documents from the 17th to 19th centuries, reflecting the long-standing tradition of Latin phrases embedded in formal governance. Over time, the term has retained its formal tone, especially in the United States Senate and House of Representatives, where a Pro Tempore presides over debates or procedures in the absence of the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House. The pronunciation has largely followed English adaptations of Latin stress and vowel quality, with slight regional variations that reflect broader shifts in Latin loanword pronunciation across English-speaking communities.
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Words that rhyme with "Pro Tempore"
-ore sounds
-oor sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce it as PRO (stress on the first syllable) - TEM-po-re or TEM-po-ray in some US pronunciations; commonly IPA: US: /ˈproʊ ˌtɛm.pəˌreɪ/ or /ˈproʊ ˌtɛm.pəˌroʊ/ depending on speaker. The first word carries primary stress, while tempo- включает a secondary stress on the second syllable of tempor, and the final vowel is a schwa or a mid 'er' depending on accent. Mouth positions: start with rounded lips for 'pro', then jaw drops for 'tem', keep the 'po' unstressed, and end with a clear 're' or 'ray' depending on dialect. You’ll often hear US speakers say 'PRO tempore' with the 'temp' cluster tight and the final 're' lightly pronounced.
Common errors include: 1) misplacing stress by incorrectly stressing 'temp' or 'pro' evenly; ensure primary stress on 'pro' and secondary on 'tem' in some variants. 2) Slurring 'tem' and 'po' into one syllable or pronouncing 'tem-poh-ray' too quickly; practice with deliberate separation. 3) Final 're' pronounced as 'ruh' instead of a clear 'ray' or 'ree'; choose a mid-to-high back vowel depending on accent and avoid dropping the final vowel. Correct by slow articulation and then speed-up while keeping vowel quality stable.
In US English, you’ll often hear /ˈproʊ ˌtɛm.pəˌreɪ/ with a clear 'ray' ending and secondary stress on temp-; the 'pro' is robust. UK speakers may render it as /ˈprəʊ ˌtem.pəˈrɔː/ with less rhoticity and a longer final 'or' sound. Australian variants tend toward /ˈprəʊ ˌtem.pəˈrɔː/ with a mid-back vowel in 'pro' and less pronounced 'r' in non-rhotic positions. The key differences are rhoticity and vowel quality in the final syllable. Listen for a slightly rounded 'o' in 'pro' and a flatter ending in AU/UK compared to the American /eɪ/ or /ɔː/ depending on speaker.
The difficulty comes from Latin-origin syllable structure and multi-syllable cadence. The 'pro' has a tense, rounded vowel that may clash with the unstressed 'tem' cluster; the 'temp' rapid transition requires controlled alveolar and velar timing; and the final 'ore' can shift between 'or' as /ɔː/ or /oʊ/ and a trailing 'e' that’s often reduced. Additionally, the phrase is usually used in formal contexts with careful enunciation, making rapid speech a pitfall. Practicing with IPA helps lock in accurate vowel colors and consonant releases.
A distinctive feature is the treatment of the final syllable: 're' in English loanword form often carries a light, trailing 'r' or a silent 'e' depending on the accent. In rhotic US speech, you might hear an audible 'ree' as /ˌreɪ/ or /ˌriː/; in non-rhotic UK/AU, it tends toward /ˈrɔː/ or a schwa with a soft trailing vowel. This subtle variation makes the final syllable a reliable cue for regional identity in high-quality speech. Focus on keeping the final vowel stable while not letting it drift into a strongly pronounced consonant.
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