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Pronouncing the Word “Blessed”

We recently received inquiries from some of our readers regarding the proper way to pronounce blessed. The word blessed can be used and pronounced in two different ways.

Rule 1. When blessed is used as a verb, it is pronounced with one syllable (blest):

Example for the pronunciation blest:

Devon is blessed with amazing athletic ability.

 

 Rule 2. When the word blessed is used as an adjective, adverb (blessedly), or noun (blessedness), blessed is pronounced with two syllables (bles-id).

Examples for the pronunciation bles-id:

Annie’s baptism was a blessed moment, particularly for her devoted grandparents.

Blessed are the poor.

 

Pop Quiz

1. The priest blessed (pronounced blest or bles-id) the candles at the ceremony.

2. The couple was blessed (pronounced blest or bles-id) with a healthy baby girl.

3. I don’t have a blessed (pronounced blest or bles-id) dime to my name.

 

Answers:

1. The priest blessed (pronounced blest or bles-id) the candles at the ceremony.

2. The couple was blessed (pronounced blest or bles-id) with a healthy baby girl.

3. I don’t have a blessed (pronounced blest or bles-id) dime to my name.

 

Posted on Saturday, August 11th, 2012, at 2:28 pm

4 Comments

4 Responses to “Pronouncing the Word “Blessed””

  1. Carol R. says:
    November 8, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Can you give me the words “blessed” and “blest” in a sentence? I know one is a verb and one is an adjective. If one were to say “I have been blest,” would that be correct? Can you use “blest” without the “have been” (such as “I was blest”)?

    Reply
    • Jane says:
      November 8, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      Pronouncing the word blessed was the topic of our weekly E-Newsletter on August 14, 2012, (shown above) and should answer your questions. Here is the link for your reference: Pronouncing the Word “Blessed”. Although I didn’t cover it in the newsletter, when the word is used as a verb (as in Rule 1), it may also be spelled blest.

      Reply
  2. Jenn H. says:
    April 28, 2013 at 7:02 am

    So is the spelling “blest” gramatically correct?

    Reply

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