suffixes - Is there a rule for the pronunciation of words with the suffix -ative?

I have observed that there are, at least, two patterns of pronunciation for words ending in -ative:

1. The first syllable is stressed and the suffix is pronounced as /eɪtɪv/ (e.g. qualitative)


2. The second syllable is stressed and the suffix is pronounced as /ətɪv/ (e.g. declarative)

Is there a way (other than memorizing them all, of course) to know how a certain word ending in -ative is pronounced?

Answer

You're close. It depends on the stress of the syllable before the -ative. If there is primary or secondary stress, then you have an unstressed a in the -ative. Otherwise, the a would be stressed and get its full /ei/ sound. Note that some words have different pronunciation patterns in different dialects.

• NA-tive (0 before)


• cre-A-tive (weak before)


• REL-a-tive (strong before)


• con-SERV-a-tive (weak-strong)


• LEG-i-SLA-tive (strong-weak)


• RE-pre-SEN-ta-tive (strong-weak-strong)



• ad-MIN-i-STRA-tive (weak-strong-weak) but also ad-MIN-i-stra-tive

Here is a link to all the -ative words in the COCA.