3 syllables: Sub, stan, ces. Stress on Sub.
SUHB-stuhn-suhz
/ˈsʌbstənsəz/
Substances is pronounced SUHB-stuhn-suhz (/ˈsʌbstənsəz/). It has three syllables (Sub-stan-ces), with the stress on "Sub". Substances (n.) materials or matter with particular compositions or properties, especially chemicals or compounds used in science, manufacturing, or medicine. The term generally denotes plural items, not a single substance, and can refer to any tangible compound or mixture under discussion. In casual use, it also means addictive drugs collectively, though context often clarifies meaning.
nounSubstances (n.) materials or matter with particular compositions or properties, especially chemicals or compounds used in science, manufacturing, or medicine. The term generally denotes plural items, not a single substance, and can refer to any tangible compound or mixture under discussion. In casual use, it also means addictive drugs collectively, though context often clarifies meaning.
"Industrial chemists test the substances to determine purity and reactivity."
"Regulators monitor the safety of hazardous substances in the workplace."
"The report lists several dangerous substances present in the sample."
Say /səbˈstæn.sɪz/ in US/UK transcriptions, with primary stress on the second syllable: sub-STAN-ses. Start with a light schwa in the first syllable, then stress the ‘stan’ vowel, and finish with a clear /sɪz/ or /zɪz/ depending on connected speech. Audio reference: you can compare to dictionary pronunciations on Cambridge/Oxford, or listen to Forvo entries for native speakers emphasizing the second syllable.
Common errors: 1) Flattening the second syllable to a weak, unstressed schwa (/səbˈstænsɪz/). Correction: keep a clear /tæn/ quality with a prominent /æ/ via a short, crisp /t/. 2) Dropping the final /z/ or turning it into /s/, giving /səbˈstænsɪs/. Correction: ensure final voiced /z/ by voicing the terminal consonant. 3) Misplacing the stress, as in /ˈsəbˌstæn.sɪz/. Correction: emphasize the second syllable with steadier, higher pitch.
US: /səbˈstænsɪz/ with rhoticity; UK: /səbˈstɑːnsɪz/, often a more open about-to-bee vowel in the second syllable; AU: /səbˈstæn.sɪz/ with similar second-syllable quality to US but with flatter, less pronounced rhoticity and slightly broader vowels. The main differences lie in vowel height and rhoticity; the final -s is voiceless in many Australian casual contexts but typically voiced /z/ in careful speech across regions.
The difficulty comes from the cluster /bst/ in the middle and the shift from /səb/ to /ˈstæns/ in stressed syllable, which involves a rapid switch from a weak initial syllable to a strong syllable with a tense vowel and a dental-t, followed by a voiced /z/ at the end. Also, plural -es can be realized as /ɪz/ or /z/ depending on speed, which can lead to mispronunciation.
A unique aspect is maintaining the contrast between the /t/ in the middle and the following /n/ sound, then transitioning to a voiced final /z/. You’ll notice a subtle palate position difference between /stæns/ and /stən.sɪz/ if you enunciate too softly. Focus on crisp /t/ release and a clearly voiced final /z/ to avoid mispronunciation.
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Substance derives from the Latin substantia, meaning “essence, material, of being,” from sub- ‘under’ + stance ‘standing’. The word entered English via Old French substance in the late Middle Ages, originally signifying essential nature or underlying essence. By the 16th century it shifted to refer to the matter of which a thing is composed, especially in philosophy and science. In modern usage, substance often denotes a material with definite chemical composition, a topic in law (substances that are illegal or regulated), and colloquial uses for drugs or intoxicants. The plural form substances refers to multiple materials or compounds; singular substance can refer to a particular material, though context usually disambiguates. The evolution mirrors scientific progress, from metaphysical essence to tangible matter, aligning with developments in chemistry, pharmacology, and regulatory language. First known uses cite Latin texts in scholastic philosophy, with English attestation appearing in medical and scientific writings by the 1600s, expanding in the 19th and 20th centuries as chemistry and material science matured.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Substances" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Substances" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Substances"
-ces sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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