How to Pronounce COME BACK: Stress, Linking & Natural Speech

COME BACK means "to return" — one of the most essential phrasal verbs for everyday conversation.

Basic Pronunciation

Stress Pattern

Stress falls on BACK:

• come = less stressed
• BACK = main stress (louder, longer)

Say: "come BACK" not "COME back"

Connected Speech: Consonant Linking

When "come" ends with /m/ and "back" begins with /b/, the two sounds blend together. Both are made with the lips, so they flow naturally:

• Written: come back
• Sounds like: "kum-BACK" (one long lip closure)

The /m/ flows directly into /b/ without releasing the lips between them.

Practice Examples

The /ʌ/ Vowel in "Come"

The vowel in "come" is /ʌ/, NOT the Spanish "o" sound. This is a central, unrounded vowel:

• Mouth is open but relaxed
• Tongue is in the middle of the mouth
• Lips are NOT rounded

Different Uses

1. Return to a place

2. Become popular again

3. Reply with a witty response

The Noun: COMEBACK

As a noun (one word), the stress pattern changes:

Verb: come BACK /kʌm ˈbæk/ (stress on BACK)

Noun: COMEback /ˈkʌmbæk/ (stress on COME)

Inseparable Verb

COME BACK is inseparable — you cannot put an object between "come" and "back":

• ✅ "Come back to the office."
• ❌ "Come to the office back."

Common Expressions

Common Mistakes for Spanish Speakers

1. The /ʌ/ vowel

Don't say "cohm" with a Spanish "o" sound. The English /ʌ/ is unrounded and more central.

2. Aspirated /k/

The /k/ at the beginning of stressed syllables has aspiration (a puff of air): /kʰʌm/.

3. The /æ/ in "back"

This is the "cat" vowel — mouth wide open, tongue low and front. Not the Spanish "a."

Practice Sentences

1. "Come BACK soon!" → /kʌm ˈbæk suːn/
2. "When will you come BACK?" → /wen wɪl jə kʌm ˈbæk/
3. "I came BACK early." → /aɪ keɪm ˈbæk ˈɝːli/
4. "She never came BACK." → /ʃi ˈnevɚ keɪm ˈbæk/

Verb Forms

Quick Summary

• Stress on BACK: come BACK
• /m/ and /b/ blend smoothly (both lip sounds)
• Use /ʌ/ vowel in "come" (not Spanish "o")
• Inseparable: can't put object between words
• Noun "comeback" has stress on first syllable

Next up: How to pronounce TAKE OFF.