/ˈsɛntəns/
Say it backA sentence is a grammatically complete unit of language that expresses a statement, question, command, or exclamation. It typically contains a subject and a predicate, and ends with appropriate punctuation. Sentences convey meaning, structure information, and organize discourse in both spoken and written communication.
"She asked, “What time is it?”"
"Please close the door when you leave."
"The committee released its findings this morning."
Pronounce as ˈsen.təns. The stress is on the first syllable. Start with an initial palatal nasal sound /s/ plus /e/ as in 'send' without the d, then a schwa /ə/ for the second syllable, and finish with /ns/ cluster. Audio references to hear the exact sequence can be found in dictionaries and platforms like Forvo or Cambridge Audio; practice by isolating each sound and smoothing the transition from /n/ to /t/ to /ən/ to /s/.
Two common errors:1) Over-aspirating the /t/ or adding an unnecessary /eɪ/ glide between /t/ and /ə/; keep a clean /t/ cluster before the /ə/. 2) Reducing the unstressed schwa too much, turning /ə/ into a weaker vowel or a ɪ; aim for a clear but relaxed /ə/ in the second syllable and a crisp final /ns/. Practice by mapping the tongue to the alveolar region and keeping the air flow steady through the /t/ and /n/ transitions.
In US English, /ˈsen.təns/ with a rhotic, non-rhotacized vowel in the second syllable. UK English typically uses a slightly shorter /ˈsen.təns/ with more clipped consonants and less vowel reduction; AU follows similar to UK but may have a softer /e/ and more central vowel in fast speech. Global listeners may perceive differences in r-coloring and vowel quality, but the basic syllabic structure remains S-ə-ns.
Because it blends a stressed initial syllable with a reduced central vowel in the second syllable and ends with a consonant cluster /ns/. The rapid transition from /t/ to /ən/ to /s/ can cause flapping or t-voicing in US speech, and non-native speakers may insert an epenthetic vowel or misplace the tongue for /s/ after /n/. Focus on keeping /t/ clean and the /ən/ reduced, then glide into /s/ without extra vowels.
Yes, the primary stress sits on the first syllable, with a relatively short, mid-low vowel in the second syllable and a final /ns/ consonant cluster. There are no silent letters, but the trailing /e/ of the 'sentence' is not pronounced separately; the second syllable uses a reduced schwa, and the /t/ can partially blend into the following /ən/ depending on speed. Mind the alveolar stop /t/ followed by /ən/ and then /s/ to avoid an intrusive vowel.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "sentence"!
The word sentence derives from the Latin sententia meaning opinion, feeling, or sentence in the sense of judgment or verdict. The root 'sent-' comes from Latin verb sentire, meaning to feel or perceive. In Classical Latin, sententia referred to opinion, thought, or a settled verdict, often in a legal or rhetorical context. In Late Latin and Old French, sententia evolved to mean a formulated statement or judgment. By the 14th century English adopted sentence to denote a grammatical unit expressing a complete thought, mirroring the idea of a concluded proposition. The legal sense of a judicial judgment also influenced the modern sense, as the formulaic construction of a sentence in court reflects a concluded decision. Over time, sentence broadened to include phrases conveying any complete thought and, in linguistics, to distinguish independent clauses from phrases and fragments. The evolution tracks from a semantic notion of judgment to a syntactic unit in both written and spoken language, retaining the core idea of a complete, expressible thought. First known use in English appears in the 13th century, linked to the sense of a formal declaration or proposition in a structured discourse.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "sentence" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "sentence" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "sentence" 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 "sentence"
-nce sounds
-nse 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.
See how this word is used in our articles
