Hits pronunciation

No, it's an "s" sound.

Usually, if an "s" follows a voiced consonant, it sounds like a "z".
If it follows an unvoiced consonant, then it sounds like "s".

Hi Vorpar,

Thanks

tinanam0102I'd like to know if 'ts' in hits pronounced as 'tz'.

No. Actually, there is nothing in English pronounced 'tz'. Even 'tz' is pronounced 'ts'. (blitz, ritzy)

Hi CalifJim,

It is a hot day.
It's a hot day.

Does the pronunciation change from is to a? (I have some very old notes so I may be confused because of that.)
Thanks
TN

tinanam0102Does the pronunciation change

Yes. The "s" in "is" changes from /z/ to /s/, as shown below.

(The /?/ is the symbol in IPA for a tapped "r", which sounds almost exactly like /d/.)

It is a = /???z?/ (Three syllables)
It's a = /?ts?/ (Two syllables)

American English.

If I'm not mistaken, all you have to do t

Hi CalifJim

1. When you say a tapped 'r' (/r/), does it mean like the tongue moves or glides it really quick to the next vowel or constonant, and the tongue position is like that of 'r' but sounds almost like /d/.

2. I am very sorry that I have to digress a little. In American pronunciation, what does o in toward sound like? It is very much differe

tinanam0102When you say a tapped 'r' (/r/), does it mean like the tongue moves or glides it really quick to the next vowel or constonant, and the tongue position is like that of 'r' but sounds almost like /d/.

It's always between two vowels, and it sounds almost like /d/. You are correct that it starts with the tongue in the same position as for an "r", but t

Hi CalifJim,

Thanks for the explanation and the link.

TN