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English Pronunciation Tip of the Day

Tip 1

Category: Spelling-to-sound
Author: JCW

<-ss->

What is odd, given their spelling, about the pronunciation of the words scissors possess possession dessert dissolve Aussie?

They are pronounced with /z/, even though spelt <-ss-> /"sIz@z p@"zes p@"zeSn dI"z3:t dI"zQlv "Qzi/

Otherwise, where the spelling is <ss> the pronunciation is /s/. pass /pA:s/, fussy /"fVsi/, message /"mesIdZ/, assert /@"s3:t/, assimilate /@"sIm@leIt/, massive /"m{sIv/

--or, in the word-endings -ssion, -ssure, /S/. passion /"p{Sn/, admission /@d"mISn/, expression /Ik"spreSn/, succession /s@k"seSn/, fissure /"fIS@/, pressure /"preS@/