How to Pronounce uttered

Meaning and Context

The term uttered functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "utter," which fundamentally denotes the act of giving audible voice to something, whether it be articulate speech, a simple sound, or even a cry. It implies a definitive act of vocal expression, often carrying connotations of the words or sounds being deliberately produced and released into the air. The word is versatile, applying to contexts ranging from a judge uttering a verdict in a courtroom to a bird uttering a call at dawn. In literature and discourse, it is frequently employed to describe significant, poignant, or momentous speech acts, such as a leader uttering a command or a character uttering a profound truth. Its usage is common in both everyday language and specialized fields like linguistics, where it describes the physical act of speech production, and legal contexts, where uttered statements can have binding implications. Understanding the precise meaning of uttered enriches comprehension of narrative tension, historical accounts, and the nuances of human communication.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The spelling of "uttered" is generally straightforward, as it follows the regular pattern of adding "-ed" to the base verb "utter." However, common errors arise from confusion with homophones or from misspelling the root word. The most frequent typo is likely "uttered," with a single 't', though this is less common. More prevalent mistakes involve the word "utter" itself, which is sometimes misspelled as "udder" (the mammary gland of a cow), a classic homophone error. In fast typing, one might also encounter "utterred" with an unnecessary double 'r'. It is important to distinguish "uttered" from similar-sounding words like "muttered" (which implies speaking in a low, indistinct voice) or "stuttered," as these describe different manners of speech. Ensuring correct spelling is key for clarity, especially in formal writing, to avoid unintended humorous or confusing substitutions.

Example Sentences

After a long moment of tense silence, the witness finally uttered the name that would break the case wide open.

In the ancient ritual, the priest uttered the sacred incantations in a voice that seemed to echo from another world.

She was so surprised by the news that she could barely utter a single word of reply.

Historians note that the famous phrase was first uttered during a secret meeting in the spring of 1775.

The old recording device captured every syllable uttered in the room, providing crucial evidence.

From its nest high in the canopy, the rare bird uttered a haunting, melodic call that had not been heard in the forest for decades.

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