STAYT-muhnts
/ˈsteɪtmənts/
statements is pronounced STAYT-muhnts (/ˈsteɪtmənts/). A plural noun or verb form referring to expressions of fact or assertion, or items presented in speech or writing. In everyday use, it often denotes sentences presenting information or claims. The pronunciation is the primary focus here, with attention to stress, vowel quality, and consonant clarity across dialects.
A plural noun or verb form referring to expressions of fact or assertion, or items presented in speech or writing. In everyday use, it often denotes sentences presenting information or claims. The pronunciation is the primary focus here, with attention to stress, vowel quality, and consonant clarity across dialects.
- You may overemphasize the first syllable, turning it into /ˈsteɪt/ with an exaggerated break, which makes the word sound unnatural. Aim for a natural diphthong /eɪ/ and a smooth transition to /tənts/. - The middle vowel /ə/ may become a near-schwa or disappear in rapid speech; keep it as a light schwa to preserve the /m/ + /nts/ sequence. - The final /nts/ cluster can be swallowed or slurred; train to release the /n/ and then the /ts/ cleanly, producing a crisp end.
"The politician issued several statements about the policy."
"Her statements contradicted the earlier testimony."
"You need to cite those statements in your report."
Pronounce as /ˈsteɪt.mənts/ in US/UK/AU. Start with the stressed monosyllabic nucleus /ˈsteɪt/ as in “state,” then a schwa /ə/ or a reduced vowel in the second syllable, and end with /mənts/ where the /m/ blends into the /nts/ cluster. Keep the /t/ crisp before the /m/; avoid a heavy alveolar stop that could blur into /t/ or /d/. For mouth position: lips neutral, tongue high-mid for /eɪ/ in /steɪ/, tongue tip for /t/, relaxed jaw for /ə/, rounded but soft lips for /m/ before /ə/; final /nts/ has a light nasal release. You can listen and compare with native speech using Pronounce and Forvo for audio cues.
Two main pitfalls: 1) Slurring the second syllable, saying /ˈsteɪtmənts/ with a strong /t/ and a reduced second syllable; fix by inserting a faint /ə/ before /nts/ and ensuring the /t/ is released before /m/. 2) Dropping the /t/ and turning it into /ˈsteɪmənts/ or /ˈsteɪm-nts/. Correct by visually anchoring the /t/ with a light touch of aspiration and ensuring the /t/ is followed by a clear /m/ transition. Practice with minimal pairs like “state-man” to feel the boundary.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /ˈsteɪt/ is consistent with the long /eɪ/ diphthong; rhotic variation does not affect this word's first syllable. UK tends to maintain non-rhotic quality but the /t/ release is crisp; AU may have slightly more centralized vowel quality in the second syllable; the final /nts/ cluster remains distinct in all, but Australians sometimes merge /ə/ toward schwa-like quality and speed up the /nts/ due to overall rhythm.
Because it blends a stressed closed syllable /ˈsteɪt/ with a fast, light unstressed /mənts/, requiring precise timing of the /t/ release into /m/. The /nts/ cluster at the end can be tricky because some speakers reduce the vowel before the nasal, producing a whispered or slurred finish. Additionally, the medial /t/ is often lightly released in connected speech, making it harder to hear. Focusing on a crisp /t/ and a clear /nts/ can help.
A unique aspect is the transition from the stressed open syllable /ˈsteɪt/ into the unstressed /mənts/ that requires maintaining accurate timing and pace in fluent speech. You’ll want to keep the onset /st/ cluster solid while allowing the second syllable to be lighter, so the entire word stays evenly paced in natural conversation. Practicing with fast speech drills helps you maintain the integrity of the /t/ release before the /m/.
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- US: Keep /ˈsteɪt.mənts/ with a stressed first syllable and a clear, mid-central /ə/ in the second syllable; final /nts/ should be realized as a short nasal + voiceless alveolar affricate; subtle rhoticity not affecting this word. - UK: Similar to US, but you may hear a slightly tighter monophthong in /eɪ/ and less reduction of the /ə/; ensure the /t/ is not elided in careful speech. - AU: Slightly more centralized /ə/ and quicker rhythm; ensure the final /nts/ has audible closure; keep the /t/ release distinct to avoid merging with /m/.
The word statements derives from the Middle English statement, from Old French estatment, which in turn comes from Latin stat- (to stand, set) plus -ment, a noun-forming suffix. The root estat- is linked to standing or establishing something as a fact, an idea echoed in “state” and “statement.” The -ment suffix turns the verb or adjective sense into a noun: a thing that is set or declared. In English, “statement” appeared in the 15th century with the sense of “a formal expression of an idea or fact,” and “statements” followed as the plural. Over time, the noun broadened to include both spoken and written expressions and, in legal and journalistic contexts, “statements” became a common term for official declarations or pieces of testimony. Modern usage spans everyday speech to formal affidavits and press releases, retaining the core sense of presenting something asserted or declared as fact. The plural form retains the orthographic -s and is typically pronounced with final z-like voicing, though in careful speech the plural s often tends to soften after a voiceless consonant depending on the preceding sound.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "statements" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "statements" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "statements"
-nts sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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