The following words with the -ate ending can be either nouns/adjectives (with “it” sound) or verbs (with “ate” sound). The stress does not change. The only change is the pronunciation of the -ate ending.
| Nouns/Adj.’s – ATE = IT | Verbs – ATE = ATE |
| advocate | advocate |
| aggregate | aggregate |
| appropriate* | appropriate |
| associate | associate |
| degenerate | degenerate |
| duplicate | duplicate |
| estimate | estimate |
| legitimate* | legitimate |
| moderate* | moderate |
| separate* | separate |
| * These words are adjectives. All other words are nouns | |
Also, corporate and incorporate fit this rule. Corporate is often shortened to a 2-syllable form, cor-prit. And incorporate has the A sound in the –ate ending.
Words with the -ate ending that are only nouns, adjectives or verbs (and do not have two forms) follow this rule.
Verbs with -ate: negotiate, underestimate, facilitate, emulate
Adjective with -ate: ultimate, indiscriminate
Note: If the ending -tion is added, then there is a Long A sound as in plane. Examples are moderation, separation and association.
Stopped T and -ATE Words with Stress on the 1st Syllable
| Stopped T Words | Stopped T Phrases |
| copyright | That’s great! |
| focal point | It’s hot. |
| gamut | Thanks a lot. |
| implement | Wait for me. |
| indicate | Don’t be late |
| keynote | He’s at school |
| limit | Stop it. |
| poignant | Sorry, I can’t |
| network* | |
| outlet* | |
| *Use a stopped T sound in compound words also. | |
| 750 Business Words | Stopped T Main Page |
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