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Old 28-Oct-2009, 04:23
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Default Adjective Vs Verb pronunciation (is "complete" a heteronym?)

How do you pronounce "complete" when it is used as an adjective ?

Example : Dante's complete works are in this library.

Is "complete" pronounced as " kəm ˈpliːt " with vowel reduction on the "com" sound or should it be pronounced as " kɒm pliːt " with stress on the " kɒm" ?

I know as a verb, "complete" is pronounced as "kɒm pliːt" but I wonder whether as an adjective, it is pronounced with stress on the 1st syllable, this example for adjectives vs verbs :

You will find fruits and vegetables in the produce section. (adjective)
Many factories produce too much pollution. (verb)

Longman Pronunciation Dictionary says " kɒm pliːt " is not Received Pronunication but is enunciated by educated English speakers around some parts of the world. Longman did not differentiate any spelling differences for "complete" used as an adjective or a verb.
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Old 28-Oct-2009, 07:19
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Default Re: Adjective Vs Verb pronunciation (is "complete" a heteronym?)

Quote:
Originally Posted by weenid2003 View Post
How do you pronounce "complete" when it is used as an adjective ?

Example : Dante's complete works are in this library.

Is "complete" pronounced as " kəm ˈpliːt " with vowel reduction on the "com" sound or should it be pronounced as " kɒm pliːt " with stress on the " kɒm" ?

I know as a verb, "complete" is pronounced as "kɒm pliːt" but I wonder whether as an adjective, it is pronounced with stress on the 1st syllable, this example for adjectives vs verbs :

You will find fruits and vegetables in the produce section. (adjective)
Many factories produce too much pollution. (verb)

Longman Pronunciation Dictionary says " kɒm pliːt " is not Received Pronunication but is enunciated by educated English speakers around some parts of the world. Longman did not differentiate any spelling differences for "complete" used as an adjective or a verb.
complete is always pronounced the same, with the stress on the ending.
It is not one of those words like produce and others listed here:
The Heteronym Homepage
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