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  #1  
Old 23-Nov-2007, 00:28
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Default how to pronounce "minute"?

hi,

i was told that the letters "i" and "u" in this word are pronounced exactly the same way.

is that true?

is that the only pronunciation acceptable?

thanks
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Old 23-Nov-2007, 01:26
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Default Re: how to pronounce "minute"?

If referring to the unit of time, that is correct.

If referring to the term for a small dimension, then it is my-nyoot.
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Old 23-Nov-2007, 02:02
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Default Re: how to pronounce "minute"?

If you're using ‘minute’ as a unit of time, angle & etc or even as a verb, the vowel ‘i’ & ‘u’ are uttered the same as in ‘it’ (just as you’re told), while stressing the 1st syllable. If it means ‘very small’ as an adjective, then the ‘i’ takes the long sound as in ‘I’ and the ‘u’ the long sound as in ‘unit’ or 'rule', while stressing the 2nd syllable instead.
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Old 23-Nov-2007, 21:18
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Default Re: how to pronounce "minute"?

hi,

could u guys pls give me an example for the second case ("very small")?

thanks
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Old 24-Nov-2007, 10:36
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Default Re: how to pronounce "minute"?

Atoms are so minute, even our best electron microscopes can't see them very clearly.
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Old 24-Nov-2007, 16:46
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Default Re: how to pronounce "minute"?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rewboss View Post
Atoms are so minute, even our best electron microscopes can't see them very clearly.
i had absolutely no idea of this meaning for "minute".

thanks a lot.
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