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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.

22 Thg 08 2019 10:55
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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.
22 tháng 8 năm 2019
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.
22 tháng 8 năm 2019
Please see the edits that I've made to my original answer.
22 tháng 8 năm 2019
@Su.Ki Thanks for a quick reply.

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

Will the pronunciation change?

Thanks.
22 tháng 8 năm 2019

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Benny
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