COALESCE, NULLIF, NTILE — SQL functions are written in uppercase but spoken aloud every day in data team meetings. This quiz covers the stress, vowels, and common mistakes for each built-in.
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How is 'COALESCE' (SQL null-handling function) pronounced?
COALESCE is pronounced /koʊˈælɛs/ — 'koh-AL-es'. Stress falls on the second syllable, and the 'æ' vowel is the short-A sound as in 'cat'. It comes from the Latin 'coalescere'. Option B stresses the first syllable; option C uses the diphthong /eɪ/; option D drops the 'co-' prefix entirely.
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How is 'NULLIF' (SQL conditional null function) pronounced?
NULLIF is pronounced /ˈnʌlɪf/ — 'NUL-if', with stress on the first syllable. 'Null' uses the short /ʌ/ vowel as in 'hull', and 'if' is the standard conjunction. Option B shifts stress to the second syllable; option C uses the long /juː/ vowel; option D uses /ʊ/ as in 'pull'.
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How is 'NTILE' (SQL window function) pronounced?
NTILE is pronounced /ɛn taɪl/ — 'EN tile'. The 'N' is the letter /ɛn/, and 'TILE' rhymes with 'mile', giving the idea of 'n tiles' (buckets). Option B uses a short /ɪ/ in 'tile'; option C blends the letters into 'NY-tul'; option D adds an extra syllable.
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How is 'DATE_TRUNC' (SQL date truncation function) pronounced?
DATE_TRUNC is pronounced /deɪt trʌŋk/ — 'DAYT trunk'. 'Date' has the long-A diphthong /eɪ/, and 'trunc' is short for 'truncate' read as /trʌŋk/ (like 'trunk'). The underscore is not spoken. Options B and D use wrong vowels in 'date'; option C adds a spurious '-it' suffix.
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How is 'REGEXP_MATCH' (SQL regex function) pronounced?
REGEXP_MATCH is commonly read as /ˈrɛɡɛks mætʃ/ — 'REG-eks match', since developers almost universally say 'regex' (or 'regexp' as 'REG-eks-P'). The full pronunciation /ˌrɛɡˈɛkspiː mætʃ/ is also heard but 'REG-eks match' is the most natural short form. Options A and D mispronounce the opening; option B adds incorrect stress on 'P'.