Speaking Prompts
Read the prompt, listen to the audio, then record your voice. Focus on PIE — pronunciation, intonation, and expression — to clearly show the meaning of similar-sounding or same-looking words.
Excuse vs Excuse
She had a good excuse for being late and hoped he would excuse her quickly. Her excuse was that traffic was awful. He did excuse her but asked her not to use that excuse again.
PIE SPEAK: Excuse - Same spelling, different sound and meaning.
Pronunciation
to give a reason = ex-KYOOSS (hold “s“ like in ‘news’) (noun)
to be polite = ex-KYOOZ (do not hold the “s“) (verb)
Intonation Practice
What’s your ex-KYOOSS this time?
Please ex-KYOOZ my mistake.
He gave a weak ex-KYOOSS.
She will ex-KYOOZ herself now.
Expression Tip
Use ex-KYOOSS when giving a reason. ex-KYOOZ when asking for forgiveness or leaving.