How to pronounce words beginning with ‘ex’

Example, exercise, expert, excellent, exciting, extra, exist, excel, excuse…

These words all start with the same root : ex-

However their pronunciation at the beginning of the word is not the same.

There are 2 different pronunciations of the root ‘ex’:

1. /egz/
2. /eks/

Which one to use?

Luckily there is a rule that will help you know which sound to make for a word beginning with ‘ex’.

/egz/

We use this sound for two reasons:

1. IF ‘ex’ is followed by a vowel sound then it is pronounced /egz/ (like eggs):
   
   Examples:
   – example → /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
   – examine → /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
   – exotic → /ɪɡˈzɒtɪk/
   – exaggerate → /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/
   
   
2. If ‘ex’ is followed by a voiced consonant sound (b, d, g, l, m, n, r, v, z) then it is pronounced /egz/. Remember it is the sound not the spelling that counts!
   
   Examples:
   – exhibit → /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/
   – exempt → /ɪɡˈzempt/
   – exude → /ɪɡˈzjuːd/
   – exile → /ˈɛɡ.zaɪl/

/eks/

If ‘ex’ is followed by a unvoiced consonant sound (like p, t, k, f, s) then it is pronounced /eks/:

Examples:
– export → /ˈeks.pɔːt/
– explain → /ɪkˈspleɪn/
– extend → /ɪkˈstɛnd/
– exclude → /ɪkˈskluːd/

To hear how to pronounce these words be sure to check out my Ask Us Anything live where I say these words. You can stop the recording and repeat after to me to practice.

Do you have an English language question about pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, or something else? Remember, I go live on YouTube every Friday to answer your English language questions! Leave your English language questions in the comments.