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What are the stress rules for pronouncing words in English that end "-ive"?

Asked by soethe6 (537points) September 3rd, 2007

I’m particularly concerned with “purposive,” which I’m certain is pronounced PURposive. Others say purPOsive, which I’m sure is wrong, but they give as an example the rule for exPLOsive. I know that there’s a rule for these stress patterns—probably something having to do with the penultimate consonants. Any thoughts?

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