KWES-chuhnz
/ˈkwɛstʃənz/
questions is pronounced KWES-chuhnz (/ˈkwɛstʃənz/). Questions refers to sentences or phrases used to elicit information, clarify meaning, or challenge assumptions. In grammar, it is a plural noun and verb form; rhetorically, it can function to invite responses or probe specifics. This entry focuses on the common noun usage (as in “I have several questions”) and the verb-like plural form in conversational prompts.
Questions refers to sentences or phrases used to elicit information, clarify meaning, or challenge assumptions. In grammar, it is a plural noun and verb form; rhetorically, it can function to invite responses or probe specifics. This entry focuses on the common noun usage (as in “I have several questions”) and the verb-like plural form in conversational prompts.
"- I have a few questions about the project timeline."
"- The teacher asked us to prepare questions for the guest speaker."
"- Her questions revealed gaps in the report."
Pronounce as /ˈkwes.tʃənz/. Start with a strong initial /kw/ blend, then the stressed syllable /ˈkwes/. The middle is a soft /tʃ/ as in “chair,” followed by a schwa or reduced /ə/ in the second syllable. End with plural /nz/. Mouth positions: lips rounded for /kw/ then relaxed for /e/, tongue high-mid for /es/, then alveolar nasal for /n/. Practice with the phrase “questions for you” to guide the flow.
Common errors: misplacing stress (treating as /ˈkwes.tjənz/ or /ˈkwɛs.tʃuns/), overemphasizing the /t/ leading to a clear /t/ between /es/ and /ənz/. Another frequent mistake is pronouncing /kwes/ as /kwɪz/ (like ‘quiz’) or dropping the /tʃ/ blend. Correction: keep the /tʃ/ sound after /s/ as in “nature” but merged with /s/ to /tʃ/; ensure the second syllable is a neutral /ən/ by relaxing the jaw and reducing vowel length.
US/UK/AU share /ˈkwes.tʃənz/ with subtle differences: US rhoticity is less relevant in this word, but American speakers may slightly reduce the /ə/ to a near-schwa; UK speakers maintain a clear /ə/ and crisp /tʃ/; Australian tends toward a more centralized /ə/ and a softer /tʃ/. In all, the primary difference lies in rhotic influence and vowel quality of the second syllable, with Australians often passing through a slightly more uniform vowel.
The difficulty lies in the /kw/ onset followed by a /tʃ/ consonant cluster between vowels, which can cause a subtle mis-timing of the affricate /tʃ/ and the /ən/ schwa. Speakers may also attempt to simplify the two-syllable rhythm to one syllable, producing /ˈkwesənz/ or merge /tʃ/ into /s/. Focusing on the /kw/ onset, maintaining a clear /tʃ/ while letting the second syllable vibrate with a relaxed /ən/ will help.
Note the strong initial stress on the first syllable and the fixed plural ending /-z/. The word’s rhythm is /KWES-tchenz/, with a clear /tʃ/ sound signaling the end of the first syllable before the unstressed /ənz/. A common ‘flap’ or softened /t/ can creep in for some speakers; keep it as an aspirated or lightly released /t/ to preserve the /tʃ/ sequence.
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The word questions comes from the Middle English queshon, derived from the Latin intentus quaestio, “a seeking, inquiry, or question.” The path traces through Old French queestion or questin, reflecting the noun form of quis, que, meaning “who, what, where” in Latin and the verb quester in Medieval French. The English adaptation solidified in the 14th century as questions to denote expressions asked to obtain information, often in legal, scholastic, or rhetorical contexts. Over time, the spelling shifted to align with English phonotactics, especially the -tion suffix from French origin, and the final -s for plural or present-tense form. The sense broadened beyond simple interrogatives to include rhetorical prompts, problem-raising inquiries, and, in conversational speech, hedged or tag questions that solicit confirmation. The core concept has remained stable: a prompt aimed at eliciting information or eliciting a response, with the plural form capturing multiple instances of such utterances or their objects.”,
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Words that rhyme with "questions"
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