ik-SPEND
/ɪkˈspɛnd/
expend is pronounced ik-SPEND (/ɪkˈspɛnd/). Expend is a verb meaning to use up, consume, or spend a resource, especially money, time, or effort. It conveys an intentional allocation of resources toward a purpose, often implying depletion after use. In formal or written contexts, expend typically appears with nouns like time, money, or energy, and is frequently paired with verbs such as 'to expend' or 'to expend resources.'.
Expend is a verb meaning to use up, consume, or spend a resource, especially money, time, or effort. It conveys an intentional allocation of resources toward a purpose, often implying depletion after use. In formal or written contexts, expend typically appears with nouns like time, money, or energy, and is frequently paired with verbs such as 'to expend' or 'to expend resources.'
- Common pronouncing errors include misplacing the primary stress on the first syllable (EX-pend) or diluting the /sp/ cluster, producing a mispronounced ‘ek-spend’ or ‘ex-pind.’ - Another frequent mistake is tensing the vowel in /ɪ/ or over-rounding the /ɪ/ to a more centralized vowel, which blurs the /k/ release. - Some learners insert an extra vowel between /k/ and /sp/, like /ɪkˈspɛ-ənd/. Correction tips: practice with forces of air at the /k/ and keep the /s/ immediately after; perform minimal-pair drills against words like spend, spend-pond, expend-extend; record yourself and compare to native models, ensuring the /sp/ cluster stays intact and the /ɛ/ is clear.
"We cannot expend any more energy on this project without risking burnout."
"The company decided to expend its funds on research and development."
"She refused to expend additional time on the task beyond the deadline."
Pronounce as /ɪkˈspɛnd/ in US and UK English, with the stress on the second syllable (pend). The first syllable sounds like a short 'i' as in 'kit,' followed by a clear 'k' and 's' cluster. Mouth starts with a light /ɪ/, then a strong /k/ release, then /sp/ sequence leading into /ɛ/ (as in 'bed'), and ends with /nd/. Audio reference: you can compare to 'spend' with an extra syllable 'ex-' added, but keep the main emphasis on 'pend.'
Two common errors are stressing the first syllable (ex-PEND vs EX-pend) and mispronouncing the /sp/ cluster as /s/ or /sk/. To correct: keep primary stress on pend: /ɪkˈspɛnd/. Ensure the /sp/ blend is tight and the following /ɛ/ is clear, not reduced. Don’t insert a vowel between /k/ and /sp/. Practice by saying 'exist' followed by 'pend' in quick succession to lock the cluster. Finally, avoid pronouncing it as 'ex-pended' unless the past participle form is required.
In US, UK, and AU, /ɪkˈspɛnd/ remains with the same two-syllable structure and stress on the second syllable. The main differences lie in vowel quality and rhoticity: US and AU speakers typically maintain a rhotic /r/ only in unintended environments; the /ɛ/ vowel can be slightly more open in US compared to some UK varieties. Australian English often has a broader vowel quality in the /e/ area, but /ɛ/ remains distinct. Stress and consonant timing are similar; the key is crisp /sp/ and avoidance of vowel intrusion between /k/ and /sp/.
The challenge comes from the consonant cluster /ksp/ after the initial vowel and the need for precise coordination: short /ɪ/ followed by /k/ and a rapid /sp/ sequence can be tricky. Maintaining the exact /ɛ/ before the final /nd/ without d-dropping or vowel merging requires careful tongue positioning: back of tongue lifts to /k/, blade contacts alveolar ridge for /sp/, then deliberates into /ɛ/ and finally /nd/. Practicing the tight cluster in slow motion helps prevent intrusive vowels and keeps timing even.
Yes: the transition from the /sp/ into /ɛ/ and then into /nd/ should be smooth, with minimal vowel reduction in careful speech. Some speakers briefly reduce the first syllable to a quicker sort of ‘ex-’ while preserving the strong duration on 'pend.' The key is a clean onset of the /sp/ cluster and a crisp /nd/ closure. If your speech tends toward faster tempos, practice with deliberate pauses to lock the two syllables and then speed up.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "expend"!
- US: Keep rhoticity in surrounding syllables, but /r/ is not involved in expend; vowel /ɛ/ is often a bit more lax in rapid speech. - UK: Maintain a slightly crisper /p/ release and a more closed /e/ vowel in /ɛ/; ensure non-rhoticity outside accent adoptions. - AU: Similar to US in rhoticity; some speakers lengthen vowels slightly, but keep /sp/ cluster tight and avoid extra vowel between /k/ and /sp/. IPA references: /ɪkˈspɛnd/ across variants. - General tip: practice with a mirrored mouth position and record to monitor vowels and consonant timing across accents.
Expend traces to Latin expendere, meaning 'to weigh out or pay out' from ex- 'out, away' + pendere 'to weigh, pay, hang'. The modern English verb entered around the 17th century via French and Latin literary borrowings, adopting the sense of 'to spend or use up' resources. The root pendere persisted in related forms like expenditure (noun) and expendable. Over time, expend broadened from financial usage to include time, energy, effort, or other resources. The word carries a formal register and is common in business, economics, and strategic planning, where precise accounting of resources is central. First known use in English literature appears in early modern texts, aligning with the era’s emphasis on economizing and allocating scarce resources. While synonyms exist (spend, use up), expend often carries a nuance of deliberate allocation rather than casual usage, underscoring intention and depletion of reserves.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "expend" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "expend" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "expend" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "expend"
-end sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
