3 syllables: ex, po, ses. Stress on po.
/ɪkˈspoʊzɪz/
Say it backExposes is the verb form meaning to uncover or reveal something that was hidden, or to make something visible or known. In everyday usage it can function in present tense (he exposes), third-person singular (she exposes), or as a noun in some contexts (an exposure). The pronunciation evidence centers on the final -es suffix and the plural-sense pluralization in related forms, but here we focus on the verb form as used in sentences.
"- The investigation exposes corruption in the agency."
"- New documents expose the company's risky practices."
"- The documentary exposes the truth behind the scandal."
Pronounce as /ɪkˈspoʊzɪz/ in US and AU, and /ɪkˈspəʊzɪz/ in UK. The stress is on the second syllable: eXPOSEs. Start with a short /ɪ/ or reduced vowel, then /k/ + /s/ cluster, then a stressed /ˈspoʊ/ (US) or /ˈspəʊ/ (UK) followed by /zɪz/. Lip rounding is important for /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ and the final /zɪz/ should be voiced, not a sibilant hiss. Practicing in sequence helps: i-k-SPOS-es.
Two common mistakes: (1) Putting stress on the first syllable (EX-po-ses) instead of second (ex-POSES). (2) Slurring the middle vowel as a pure /ə/ in American English; the US US-variant often uses a raised /oʊ/ in the second syllable. Correction: practice the stressed /ˈpoʊ/ (US) or /ˈpəʊ/ (UK) with clear onset consonants; keep the final /zɪz/ distinct rather than turning into /zəs/.
US/AU share /ɪkˈspoʊzɪz/ with a clear /oʊ/ vowel in the stressed second syllable, rhotic /r/ not involved here. UK uses /ɪkˈspəʊzɪz/ with a more centralized or reduced second syllable vowel /əʊ/ and less r-coloring; AU tends toward /ɪkˈspəʊzɪz/ similar to UK, but may have slightly broader vowels in some speakers. Overall: stress remains on the second syllable; vowels shift from /oʊ/ to /əʊ/ depending on the accent’s vowel system.
The difficulty centers on the disyllabic stress pattern in a verb with a trailing /zɪz/ cluster that requires clear voicing and syllable timing. Avoid vowel reduction in the stressed syllable in careful speech; ensure the /poʊ/ (or /pəʊ/) is prominent, not shortened. The sequence of alveolar sibilants /s/ and /z/ around a vowel after a stressed syllable can blur if you don’t separate the syllables cleanly. Work on maintaining distinct onset + coda consonants while sustaining the final /zɪz/.
A unique, search-relevant point is the distinct two-syllable stress pattern in a third-person singular verb with -es ending, making listeners expect a stronger /ˈspoʊ/ or /ˈspəʊ/ in the second syllable. This is a common pitfall region: many pronunciations collapse into /ɪkˈspoʊz/ without the extra syllable clarity. Emphasize the second syllable and enunciate the final /zɪz/ clearly.
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Expose comes from the Latin exponere, literally meaning to put forth or lay open, from ex- ‘out’ + ponere ‘to place’. The noun/exposure evolved in English via Old French expose, with the verb form solidifying in Middle English. The sense broadened from “to set forth publicly” to “to lay bare or reveal,” including the modern sense of making something known to the public or to reveal vulnerability. Early uses in English literature appear in the 16th-17th centuries, often linked to exposing wrongdoing or truth-seeking. Over time, exposes took on a broader range of contexts, including photography-related exposure (light exposure) and media reporting. Modern usage spans journalism, science, and everyday speech, keeping the sense of revealing something hidden and, in some contexts, making something susceptible to scrutiny. The form with -es follows standard English third-person singular or noun-based inflection patterns, while the verb’s stress typically remains on the second syllable in everyday speech.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "exposes" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "exposes"
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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