2 syllables: con, curs. Stress on curs.
/kəˈnkɝz/
concurs is pronounced /kəˈnkɝz/. It has two syllables (con-curs), with the stress on "curs". Concurs is a verb meaning to agree or share a common opinion or decision, often in a formal or collective context. In usage, it implies alignment or agreement with a proposal, verdict, or sentiment, sometimes after discussion or debate. The word can also function as a noun in legal or organizational settings to denote points of agreement. It is less common in everyday casual speech but frequently appears in formal discourse.
Say it backConcurs is a verb meaning to agree or share a common opinion or decision, often in a formal or collective context. In usage, it implies alignment or agreement with a proposal, verdict, or sentiment, sometimes after discussion or debate. The word can also function as a noun in legal or organizational settings to denote points of agreement. It is less common in everyday casual speech but frequently appears in formal discourse.
- Misplaced stress: you might say con-CURS instead of kən-ˈkɜːrz; practice by alternating stressing the second syllable in slow phrases to reinforce the rhythm. - Final consonant voicing error: some learners produce an unvoiced /s/ rather than the voiced /z/. Ensure vocal fold vibration for the ending. - Reduced first syllable: don't reduce /kən/ too aggressively; keep a clear but short schwa to preserve natural rhythm. - Vowel quality in stressed syllable: the /ɜː/ should have a mid-back quality; avoid a pure /ɜ/ or /ɝ/ without the trailing z.
"The committee concurs with the governor’s plan after reviewing the data."
"The panel concurs that further study is warranted before a final recommendation."
"Residents of the town concur on the need for improved public transportation."
Pronounce as kən-CURZ (US, UK, AU). The primary stress is on the second syllable: /kənˈkɜːrz/ (US) or /kənˈkɜːz/ (UK/AU). The first syllable is a reduced schwa, followed by a clear r-colored vowel in the stressed syllable, and ends with a voiced z-sound. Mouth position: start with a relaxed, neutral vowel, raise the tongue to the mid-back for /ɜː/ and finish with /z/.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (trying ‘con-’ as the stressed syllable) and mispronouncing the final sound as /s/ instead of /z/. Ensure the second syllable carries primary stress: /kənˈkɜːrz/. Practice maintaining a voiced /z/ at the end, not a voiceless /s/. Keep the initial vowel as a relaxed schwa /ə/ and avoid turning the second syllable into a dull /kɜː/ without the following voiced consonant.
In General American, it’s /kənˈkɜːrz/ with rhotic /ɹ/ and final /z/. In most UK accents, you’ll hear /kənˈkɜːz/ or /kənˈkɜːz/ with a non-rhotic or slightly lighter /r/; some speakers may devoice the final consonant slightly. Australian English typically mirrors UK pronunciation closely, with a clear /z/ or a lightly released /s/ depending on the speaker. The key differences are the final consonant voicing and the rhoticity of the vowel preceding it.
Two challenges stand out: the two-syllable rhythm with secondary stress not on the first syllable and a voiced final consonant cluster that can blur into /z/ or be unreleased. The /ɜː/ vowel in the stressed nucleus is a mid- to high-back rounded vowel depending on dialect. Some speakers also tense the jaw to lengthen the vowel, which can alter the perceived duration. Focus on keeping the final /z/ fully voiced and distinct.
No silent letters in standard pronunciation for 'concurs' as a verb; all letters contribute to the sound. The 's' at the end is voiced as /z/ in most dialects. The 'n' and 'c' provide the C-phoneme cluster /kənˈkɜːr( z)/, with the final sound always audible as a voiced consonant rather than silent.
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- US: emphasize the rhotacized center vowel /ɜː/ with a strong final /z/. Keep the /n/ lightly nasalized before the vowel. - UK: risk of reducing /ɜː/ to a shorter /ɜ/; maintain length and characteristic /z/ end. - AU: similar to UK but with a slightly broader vowel; ensure the /ɜː/ retains its quality and that /z/ is voiced. - IPA references: US /kənˈkɜːrz/, UK/AU /kənˈkɜːz/; focus on final voicing and the stressed nucleus.
Concurs comes from the Latin verb concurrere, meaning to run together or clash in minds. Con-, ‘together,’ combined with currere, ‘to run,’ gave the sense of minds running together or agreeing. The noun or verb form entered English via Old French concurrer, then Middle English, retaining the idea of harmony or agreement among people or opinions. In medieval and early modern contexts, concurs was used in formal deliberations and legal language, often indicating consensus or consent within a council or court. Over time, its usage broadened to general formal concurrence in opinions or plans, while in modern English it can appear in both formal and semi-formal contexts. The word has retained a precise sense of agreement tied to collective decision-making rather than mere casual assent and is commonly found in academic, legal, and administrative writing.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "concurs" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "concurs"
-urs sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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