How it is correct: "contracts" or "contracts"? The correct stress in the word "contract"

How it is correct: "contracts" or "contracts"? A comprehensive answer to this question is found in the materials in this article. In addition, we will tell you about how you can replace this word, if you doubt its writing or pronunciation.

general information

About how correctly - "contracts" or "contracts", not everyone knows. And for most people who are directly related to the business sphere, such a noun becomes a stumbling block during preparation for public speaking or at a business meeting. That is why it is very important to know, how correctly: "contracts" or "contracts"?

What is a contract? We find out together

A contract is an agreement between two or more persons that establishes the changing or terminating duties and rights. Both legal and natural persons, as well as various public associations (for example, the state, international organizations, municipalities, etc.) can act as both sides of such a document.

At present, the word "contract" is used in three different meanings:

1. The contract is a legal fact that generates obligations.
2. The contract as a legal relationship.
3. The contract is a document that records the occurrence of certain obligations on the own will of its participants.

Due to such a variety of meanings, it can easily be replaced by a synonym. But at the same time a new question arises: "" Contract "or" contract "- how right?" It should be noted that there is practically no difference between these expressions. After all, the word "contract" means the same multilateral agreement, which stipulates the duties and rights of all its participants. That's why, if you do not know how to pronounce or write a "contract," you should simply replace it with the most appropriate synonym (document, contract, agreement, etc.).

How it is correct: "contracts" or "contracts"?

What if you do not know how to pronounce this word correctly? The answer is quite simple: it is necessary to be guided by orthoepic linguistic norms prescribing a stylistic delineation of the use of the forms of "contract" and "contracts" depending on a particular speech situation.

The traditional form of "contracts"

The plural of the word "contract" is "contracts". This form is a traditional way of forming the nouns of the second declension of the masculine gender. As is known, such words in the plural are formed with the help of the following endings: -ы or -и . This rule is extremely important to know for correct pronunciation of the given expression.

So, let's present several nouns in the masculine gender in the plural:

• Turn-turn (s);
• Instructor - instructor (s);
• Contract - agreement (s);
• Circle - circle (s).

Causes of confusion

Why is it so hard to remember how to write: "contracts" or "contracts"? The word "contracts" is the only correct form in Russian literary language. It is this way of word formation that is characteristic of written and bookish speech. Its use is considered correct and appropriate in absolutely any speech context. However, there is often confusion. What is it connected with?

The Russian language is rich and diverse. It has thousands of different spelling rules. Thus, the plural words of the noun of the middle genus of the 2nd declension have the endings -a and -ya :

• Window - window (a);
• Lake - Lakes (a);
• Cloud-clouds (a);
• Village - villages (a).

Note that in the Russian language there are many processes that violate a certain and already established norm, leading to the formation of new and stable forms. The confirmation of these words can be fully served by the productive formation of plural nouns that end in -a or -y in the middle type. Let's give an example:

• Board - board (a);
• Professor - Professor (s);
• Pearls - pearls (a);
• Contract - agreement (a).

When should I use this or that form?

Since it is correct to pronounce the word "contract" in the singular and plural? To correctly use this expression during public speaking, you should emphasize the third vowel. Moreover, in connection with all of the above, it can be noted that in modern Russian, both presented forms of nouns in the plural can coexist and not be considered a violation of orthoepic norms. However, they are still divided according to the stylistic principle.

So, the use of forms such as "contract", "scooter", "cruiser" and others according to all norms correspond only to narrow professional and oral-colloquial speech. As for the plural use of the noun "contract" in the form of "contracts" (the stress falls on the third syllable), the rules of orthoephey are strongly recommended to use this option in publicistic and formal business styles. This will allow you to avoid incidents during public appearances at official meetings or receptions.

Let's sum up the results

Now you know when and how it is written: "contracts" or "contracts". To remember this rule, let's consider what is the difference between these words:

• A noun standing in the plural, "contracts" is formed by the type of nouns of the masculine gender of the second conjugation. As for the form of the "contract", it is formed by the type of nouns of the middle genus of similar conjugation. However, such an expression is not considered traditional for normative usage.
• In the Russian language, both presented forms ("contracts" and "contracts") fully correspond to modern literary norms. However, it should be specially noted that they differ in the sphere of use.
• The traditional form of "contracts" is generally considered to be common. This means that it corresponds to absolutely all literary styles, including such as journalistic and official-business. The multiple form of the "contract", which was formed according to the type of the middle class, is permissible only in professional and colloquial speech.

Thus, thinking about how to properly pronounce the word - "contract" or "contract", you need to remember in which context you are doing it. If you just communicate with friends or colleagues, then both forms are appropriate (more often "contracts" with emphasis on the ending). If you need to repeat this word repeatedly in a public speech (for example, at a certain conference) or use it when writing a scientific text, then it is required to use this word in the plural "contracts" (emphasis on the third vowel).