Thread: Recite/Recipe

I always wondered why these two words, which should apparently be pronounced the same way (save for the /t/ and /p/ sound), have such different pronunciations.

Recite= /rɪˈsaɪt/
Recipe= /ˈrɛsɪpɪ/

Anyone knows where such irregularity comes from?

Originally Posted by francot

I always wondered why these two words, which should apparently be pronounced the same way (save for the /t/ and /p/ sound), have such different pronunciations.

Recite= /rɪˈsaɪt/
Recipe= /ˈrɛsɪpɪ/

Anyone knows where such irregularity comes from?

You forgot to add "receipt = /rɪˈsiːt/ which is so similar and confusing LOL

I always commit pronunciation mistakes between those words

There is another pair: Seize vs Size.

Originally Posted by iyuanobi

There is another pair: Seize vs Size.

Oh, but these have a different pronunciation :O

Seize: /siːz/
Size: /saɪz/

Originally Posted by francot

I always wondered why these two words, which should apparently be pronounced the same way (save for the /t/ and /p/ sound), have such different pronunciations.

Recite= /rɪˈsaɪt/
Recipe= /ˈrɛsɪpɪ/

Anyone knows where such irregularity comes from?

Hi francot!

Maybe it has to do with stress or word category? Verbs such as recite, ignite, bite are pronounced the same way and are stressed in the last syllable.

Regarding "recipe", it might be due to it's latin roots.

Pronunciation in English is not regular so you won't always find a rule for it.

Originally Posted by francot

Oh, but these have a different pronunciation :O

Seize: /siːz/
Size: /saɪz/

Hi again, francot!

I just found a most complete explanation of pronunciation rules:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_phonology

I hope you find it useful!

How about knight and night?

Originally Posted by nabylm

How about knight and night?

Hi nabylm!

Both of words are pronounced in the same way but have different meaning. In context, it's easy to know what they are referring to, but as isolated words, they need to be differentiated.

What about climb and claim LOL sort of similar pronunciation.