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Benny
Is it S or Z?
Hi guys,

I know for sure that you can pronounce the word "close" differently.
close (verb) = z
closed (past tense) = z
closely (adverb) = s
closing (adj) = z

However, I'm not sure how to pronounce these forms.
Can you explain the logic?

<ul><li>behind the closed door = ?</li><li>door closer = ?</li><li>The hotel is close to the sea. = ?</li><li>A is closer to B than C = ?</li><li>The afternoon drew to a close. = ?</li></ul>

Thank you very much for your help.

٢٢ أغسطس ٢٠١٩ ١٠:٥٥
التعليقات · 4
2
<ul><li>behind the closed door </li></ul>
It's an adjective formed from past participle of the verb (meaning 'shut'), so it's a /z/.

<ul><li>door closer</li></ul>
It depends what you mean:

1 - In a sentence such as "I'll use the door closer to the exit", it's an adjective meaning 'nearer', so it's an /s/

2 - If it's a compound noun ( meaning a gadget or a person that closes doors), it's a derivative of the verb, so it's a /z/.

<ul><li>The hotel is close to the sea.</li></ul>
As above. This is the adjective (meaning 'near'), so it's an /s/

<ul><li>A is closer to B than C </li></ul>
Comparative adjective meaning 'nearer', so it's an /s/.

<ul><li>The afternoon drew to a close.</li></ul>
This is a noun. It has a related meaning to the verb, so it's a /z/.

As you can see in the examples with 'closer', the addition of a suffix doesn't change the pronunciation of the letter 's'.

No surprises there, I hope.
٢٢ أغسطس ٢٠١٩
1
Hi @Su.Ki

Thanks for your answer. Now I understand the pattern.

This is the special group of Z words, namely, Use, Close, Abuse, House, Diffuse, Excuse.
House is quite straight foward. So I focus on 2 commonly used - Use and Close.

If it's derived from the verb such as past tense, past participle (as adjective), gerund (as adjective), Noun
Close, Closed, Closed Door, Closing, Door Closer, a Close ->Z

If it's derived from the adjective (close to or closer to)->S

Thanks again @Su.Ki for your help.
٢٢ أغسطس ٢٠١٩
Please see the edits that I've made to my original answer.
٢٢ أغسطس ٢٠١٩
@Su.Ki Thanks for a quick reply.

Sorry if I confuse you, I mean the "door closer" as below,

Will the pronunciation change?

Thanks.
٢٢ أغسطس ٢٠١٩

لا تفوّت فرصة تعلّم لغة جديدة وأنت مرتاح في منزلك. تصفّح مجموعتنا المختارة من مدرّسي اللغات ذوي الخبرة وسجّل في درسك الأول الآن!

Benny
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الإنجليزية
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