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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/perseverance

perseverance

UK /ˌpɜː.sɪˈvɪə.rəns/ US /ˌpɝː.səˈvɪr.əns/

Why is the stress on vɪr not on sə?

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  • I don't understand a "why" question about regional practices. Yes, it's pronounced differently in UK vs US; why is there a difference? Well, just because?
    – Andy Bonner
    Commented Nov 27, 2023 at 22:06

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Perseverance shares an etymology with the word 'severe' (grave, serious) which has the same emphasis in its pronunciation.

I suspect you might be assuming it should be pronounced with the same emphasis as in the word 'severance', but this comes from the word 'sever' (to separate), which is a different word entirely with a different etymology.

'Severe' comes directly from the Latin severus, whereas 'sever' comes indirectly from the Latin separare.

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  • Thanks. I think I was thinking about preserve
    – Tim
    Commented Nov 28, 2023 at 3:01
  • @Tim Preserve is an entirely unrelated word, from Latin servare. It also has a different prefix - the Latin pre- meaning 'before.
    – Astralbee
    Commented Nov 28, 2023 at 8:08

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