Distribute ⁰

kircubbin2000: If you can't say this properly just Google it.

All is not lost. I can say 'this' properly without the need to Google 'it'.

Definitely often!

I usually emphasise the first syllable of distribute and I say paraSEETamol (and have heard medics say it the same way).

The one that annoys me is 'nucular' instead of 'nu-clear'.

CONtribute does mildly irritate me, but not nearly as much as REEsearch.

And I do hope I’m not the only one who wishes the Shipping Forecast presenters would pronounce Cape Wrath to rhyme with moth, and not with American-speak math.

I think i say it either way, and I don't even care!

Is it offen or often?

I say DIS tribute.

I'm a Southerner with Northern parents if that helps!

I'd no idea at all, until last week that there is an expected way of saying words in terms of emphasising particular parts.

MaizieD

I don’t see the problem. Who isn’t saying them properly and how are they going wrong?

Every time it's mentioned on TV they pronounce it distra bute instead of dis Trib ute.

My DM called the appendages on eether eyether side of your face, your Years
It always irritated me.
And here is me trying to learn Gaelic. 😟😂

Have I correctly contributed to the discussion?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202605/medium-afv6rl-screenshot-2026-05-31-at-09-02-47.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202605/medium-avo05s-screenshot-2026-05-31-at-09-04-24.png

Paracetamol

OK.

Why didn't I just do this:

dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/paracetamol

loopyloo

Had a set-to with DD about paracetamol.
I pronounce it parasetamol and she says paraseetamol.

I expect the "see" pronunciation is correct as the "see" sound is also in its other name acetaminophen.

I don't know this for sure but logically it makes sense.

You say tomato- I say tomatoe!

Northern English - typo

Northerner English tends to stress the first syllable whereas Southern English stresses the second syllable as explained in OED entry above. They are both right. It is simply due to different regional accents. Nothing to get worked up about!

Google:-

duh-STRI-byoot distribute

kuhn-TRIB-yoot. contribute

I don't pronounce either like that. There must be something wrong with me.

Had a set-to with DD about paracetamol.
I pronounce it parasetamol and she says paraseetamol.

If you can access OED through your library card and go to the pronunciation section, it shows that for British English you can stress the middle or the first syllable. For U.S. English it’s only the middle syllable.

Is that what you meant?

I don’t see the problem. Who isn’t saying them properly and how are they going wrong?