uhn-in-TEN-did
/ˌʌnɪˈntɛndɪd/
unintended is pronounced uhn-in-TEN-did (/ˌʌnɪˈntɛndɪd/). Unintended describes something that was not planned or meant to happen. It refers to outcomes, actions, or consequences that occur without deliberate intent. This adjective is commonly used in formal or analytical contexts to distinguish results from those that were intended.
Unintended describes something that was not planned or meant to happen. It refers to outcomes, actions, or consequences that occur without deliberate intent. This adjective is commonly used in formal or analytical contexts to distinguish results from those that were intended.
"The leak was caused by an unintended mistake in the assembly process."
"Her decision led to unintended consequences that affected the project timeline."
"The software update caused an unintended change in the user interface."
Pronounce un-in-TEN-ded with primary stress on the second syllable: /ˌənɪnˈtɛn.dɪd/. The first syllable is a light schwa or lax vowel, the second carries the main stress with a clear /ˈtɛn/ sequence, and the final /dɪd/ is a light, quick ending. Tip: keep the mouth closed briefly for the schwa in the first syllable, then open to reach the /ˈtɛn/ cluster, and finish with a crisp /dɪd/. Audio reference: you can compare with recordings on Forvo or Pronounce to hear the exact rhythm.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress, saying un-IN-tend-ed; 2) Slurring to uni-N-TEN-ded without clear vowels in the first syllable; 3) Mispronouncing the 'ten' as /tɛn/ with reduced vowel. Correction: ensure the second syllable carries primary stress (/ˌənɪnˈtɛn.dɪd/), pronounce the first as a light, unstressed schwa /ə/ or /ɪ/ depending on accent, and articulate the final /dɪd/ distinctly for clarity.
In US English, the primary stress is on the third syllable (/ˌənɪnˈtɛn.dɪd/), and the vowels are relatively lax. UK English often preserves a tighter /ˈɪnˌtɛn.dɪd/ feel with less vowel reduction in fast speech. Australian tends toward clear /ɪ/ in the first unstressed syllable and a slightly broader /ˈtɛn.dɪd/. Across all, the -ed ending remains /dɪd/; rhotics influence only the initial schwa context in rhotic varieties.
Key challenges: 1) balancing the light initial unstressed syllable with the strong second syllable stress; 2) clear articulation of /t/ followed by a short /ɛn/ cluster which can blur in fast speech; 3) final /dɪd/ can devoice or shorten in casual speech; 4) subtle vowel quality differences in /ɪ/ vs /ɪə/ in some speakers. Focus on maintaining the secondary schwa in the first syllable and crisp, non-silent /t/ and /d/ sounds to preserve intelligibility.
Yes. The presence of the /t/ immediately after the stressed /ɛn/ invites a slightly aspirated release, so you should avoid a stops-only feel and give a quick, crisp transition from /t/ into /ɛn/. This helps prevent the common run-together in fast speech where /t/ becomes a weak tap. Emphasize the /ˌənɪnˈtɛn.dɪd/ rhythm with a clear secondary beat on the first syllable; the overall shape is a two-beat pattern rather than three equally weighted beats.
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Unintended comes from the prefix un- meaning not, attached to intended. Intended itself derives from the verb intend, which traces to Latin intendere, meaning to stretch toward, aim at, or direct one’s intention. The Latin prefix in- can intensify or negate; here it negates the underlying action of intending. The -ed suffix marks a past participle or past-tense form in English, indicating that the act was not designed or foreseen. The word first appears in English in the 17th century, with sense usage evolving as a descriptor for outcomes or actions that were not consciously planned. Over time, unintended has become a standard term in legal, policy, and analytical discourse to distinguish outcomes from conscious aims, often paired with a noun to signify the lack of deliberate design (e.g., unintended consequences). The compound structure mirrors other negated past-participle adjectives, showing how English uses affixation to express negation of intentionality within compound adjectives.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "unintended" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "unintended"
-end sounds
-ent sounds
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