ik-STENDZ
/ɪkˈstɛndz/
extends is pronounced ik-STENDZ (/ɪkˈstɛndz/). Extends is a verb meaning to stretch out, reach, or prolong something or to extend an object or period. It can also function as a noun in specialized contexts meaning the act or result of extending. In everyday use, it often describes making something longer in space or duration, or offering sympathy or a gesture by extending a hand.
Extends is a verb meaning to stretch out, reach, or prolong something or to extend an object or period. It can also function as a noun in specialized contexts meaning the act or result of extending. In everyday use, it often describes making something longer in space or duration, or offering sympathy or a gesture by extending a hand.
- You may flatten the /ɛ/ to a schwa in fast speech, producing /ɪkˈstɪndz/. Fix by isolating the /ɛ/ in /ˈstɛnd/. - A frequent error is not releasing /t/ clearly, causing /td/ to disappear; ensure a distinct alveolar stop before the /z/. - Dropping the final /z/ or turning it into a /s/ is common in quick speech; practice with voiced ending and ensure voicing continues through the end.
"- The bridge extends over the river, connecting two cities."
"- The deadline extends to Friday, giving you extra time to submit."
"- He extends his hand for a handshake."
Pronounced ihk-STENDZ (IPA: US /ɪkˈstɛndz/, UK /ɪkˈstends/, AU /ɪkˈstɛndz/). The primary stress is on the second syllable, ‘STEND’. Start with a short, clipped initial /ɪ/ after the unvoiced /k/ blend, then land on /ˈstɛnd/. The final /z/ is a voiced alveolar fricative; keep it crisp but not overly forceful. You’ll often hear a very slight linking from the /k/ into /ˈstɛndz/ in fluent speech.”,
Common errors: 1) Slurring /k/ and /st/ into one syllable, yielding e.kstends-like blend; 2) Weakening the /t/ so it sounds like ‘en-dz’; 3) Misplacing stress giving ex-TENDS vs eXTENDS. Correction: clearly articulate the /k/+ /s/ cluster, release the /t/ as a distinct stop, and stress the second syllable /ˈstɛnd/. Practice by segmenting: /ɪ/ + /k/ + /ˈstɛnd/ + /z/, then smooth to /ɪkˈstɛndz/.”,
US: /ɪkˈstɛndz/ with rhoticity not affecting these consonants; UK: /ɪkˈstends/, the /e/ may be a little closer to /eː/ in some dialects, final /z/ alveolar. AU: /ɪkˈstɛndz/ with slightly stronger vowel clarity and a tend towards clearer enunciation of the final /z/; vowel quality in the first syllable may approach /i/ in rapid speech. Overall, stress remains on the second syllable; the main variation is in the final consonant release and subtle vowel quality.”,
Key challenges: the /k/ + /s/ cluster followed by /t/ in rapid speech can blur; maintaining the /ɛ/ vowel quality in /stɛnd/ without turning into /æ/ is tricky; and producing a clean final /z/ without devoicing sounds. The transition from /k/ to /ɪ/ can be slippery in casual talk. Focus on a crisp kick of /k/ then a clear /st/ release, hold the /ɛ/ steady, and end with a controlled /z/.”},{
A unique feature is the consonant cluster at the boundary of the second syllable: /k/ + /st/ before /ɛ/; this requires precise timing so the /k/ does not blend into /st/, and the /t/ remains audible before the /z/. You should practice a deliberate /k/ + /s/ release into /t/ and then /z/ to preserve the second-syllable stress and crisp ending. This boundary becomes stiffer in fast speech, making deliberate articulation essential.
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- US: emphasize /ɪ/ then /ˈstɛndz/, keep rhoticity neutral; - UK: keep /ɪ/ and /e/ closer to /iː/ and /eə/ variations; ensure final /z/ is clear; - AU: crisper enunciation, with slightly stronger vowel length and a well-articulated /z/. IPA references help track subtle vowel shifts. All maintain second-syllable stress and crisp /kst/ transition.
Extends comes from Latin extendere, where ex- means 'out' and tendere means 'to stretch, to aim, to extend.' The noun form extendere appeared in Late Latin, with the sense of spreading out or inflating. In Old French and Middle English, the term evolved toward a general sense of making longer or greater in scope. By the 15th century, extends was used in both literal spatial extension and figurative prolongation (time, influence). The suffix -s marks third-person singular present in English verbs. The word’s semantic trajectory includes physical extension (a road extends across the valley) and abstract extension (laws extend to new domains). Over time, extend also gained cognitive senses like extending an apology or an invitation, underscoring its core notion of expanding reach or duration.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "extends" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "extends"
-nds sounds
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