How Do You Spell TERNATELY?

Pronunciation: [tˈɜːne͡ɪtli] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the word "ternately" is T-U-R-N-A-T-E-L-Y. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈtɜːnətli/. The stress of the word falls on the second syllable, which is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɜː/. The following two syllables are pronounced with the vowel sound /ə/. The spelling of this word may be confusing due to the silent "e" in the middle. However, remembering the stress and the pronunciation of each syllable can help with proper spelling.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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TERNATELY Meaning and Definition

  1. Ternately is an adverb that refers to something occurring or happening in turns or alternating sequences. It can also describe an action or behavior that is performed alternatively or in a back-and-forth manner.

    In its literal sense, the term can be used to describe a rhythm, sequence, or pattern where two or more things take turns or occur in an alternating order. For example, if a group of people were taking turns sharing their opinions, each person would speak ternately. Similarly, if two colors were arranged in an alternating pattern, they could be said to be arranged ternately.

    In a figurative sense, ternately can describe a behavior or action that is performed in an alternating or reciprocating manner. For instance, if two people were taking turns giving compliments to each other, they would be engaging in ternately praising. This term can also be applied to describe actions that are performed in an alternating or oscillating way, such as ternately arguing or ternately changing one's mind.

    Overall, ternately is a versatile adverb that encompasses various scenarios where things occur in turns, alternate patterns, or reciprocal actions.

Common Misspellings for TERNATELY

Etymology of TERNATELY

The word "ternately" is derived from the adjective "ternate" and the suffix "-ly".

The term "ternate" comes from the Latin word "ternus", meaning "threefold" or "in threes". It is composed of the root "ter", meaning "three", and the suffix "-nus", denoting possession or belonging.

The addition of the suffix "-ly" converts the adjective "ternate" into an adverb, indicating manner or quality. Thus, "ternately" refers to something occurring in a pattern of threes or happening one after another in a sequence of three.