A student recently asked me how to pronounce English words starting with CON- such as content, contest, and conduct. My answer was – “It depends!”
These three words are interesting because they each have two forms, with different pronunciation. The CON- is pronounced to rhyme with the word “on” when that syllable is stressed, and CON- is pronounced to rhyme with the word “sun” when that syllable is unstressed.
CON-tent (n.) = something that is “contained” inside an enclosed space or limits
- Ex) The security guard asked to see the contents of my backpack
con-TENT (adj.) = satisfied
- Ex) I don’t need any more money; I’m content with my current salary.
CON-test (n.) = a type of competition
- Ex) I entered some of my work in a poetry contest. The first prize is $500!
con-TEST (v.) = dispute, try to disprove, call into question
- Ex) The opposition party is contesting the election results, saying there was voter fraud.
CON-duct (n.) = behavior
- Ex) I was shocked by your disrespectful conduct.
con-DUCT (v.) = manage, control, lead, or guide
- Ex) Scientists conduct experiments to develop new technology.
Usually, when the CON- is stressed, it is pronounced to rhyme with “on”, and when the “con-” is unstressed, it is pronounced to rhyme with “sun.” However, there are some exceptions!
Let’s practice the pronunciation of more words with CON-
Words with CON- (like “on”):
- concentrate (v.) = think hard, focus
- concert (n.) = a musical performance
- concept (n.) = an idea
- condiment (n.) = an extra flavoring for food, like ketchup/mustard
- console (n.) = a control panel for a mechanical or electronic system
- conference (n.) = a gathering of people
- congregation (n.) = a gathering of people for religious worship (usually Christian)
Note that the stressed syllable is “A,” but we still pronounce CON- as in “on”
- consequence (n.) = a result
- contact (n./v.) = touch someone/something or talk with someone
- contract (n.) = a formal document defining an agreement
- controversy (n.) / controversial (adj.) = a topic about which people hold different/opposing opinions
Note that the stress changes – in “controversy” the stressed syllable is CON, but in “controversial” the stressed syllable is “VER” – yet the CON- is still pronounced like “on”
Words with con- (like “sun”):
- conceal (v.) = to hide
- concerned (adj.) = worried
- conclude (v.) / conclusion (n.) = bring to an end
- concur (v.) = agree
- concussion (n.) = when you hit your head hard and injure it
- condition (n.) = a state of being; existing circumstances
- congratulate (v.) = express happiness at someone’s good fortune
- connect (n.) = link two things together
- consecutive (adj.) = one thing following another
- consider (v.) = think about
- construct (v.) = build
- consult (v.) = seek advice or information from someone/something
- consume (v.) = use or eat
- contain (v.) = keep inside
- continue (v.) = go on with an action or situation
- control (n./v.) = have complete influence over
- convenient (adj.) = easy and simple
More words that change:
With these words, the first form (the verb) has con- like “sun,” and the second form (the noun or adjective) has con- like “on.”
- conserve / conservation
- confide / confidential
- confront / confrontation
- confirm / confirmation
This happens because of the rhythm of the words – each of the words in the second column has a stress on both the first and third syllable: CON-ser-VA-tion, CON-fi-DEN-tial, etc.