underlying form

Questions

What does underlying form mean?

The abstract form that a given morpheme is postulated to have before any phonological rules are applied.

How to pronounce underlying form

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “underlying form”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “underlying form”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “underlying form” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.