Endings that swallow a syllable

1. vegetableˈvedʒtəbəlnoun

   A plant grown to be eaten.

   Three syllables, not four: VEJ-ta-bl. The second E is gone.

2. chocolateˈtʃɔːklətnoun

   A sweet brown food made from cocoa.

   Two syllables: CHOK-lit. Nobody says the middle O.

3. differentˈdɪfərəntadjective

   Not the same.

   Two syllables in speech: DIF-rent.

4. businessˈbɪznəsnoun

   Work done to make money.

   Two syllables: BIZ-nis. The middle I disappears entirely.

5. familyˈfæməlinoun

   The people you are related to.

   Usually two syllables: FAM-lee.

6. cameraˈkæmərənoun

   A device for taking photographs.

   Two syllables: CAM-ra.

7. interestˈɪntrəstnoun

   A wish to know more about something.

   Two syllables: IN-trist. The middle E vanishes.

8. averageˈævərɪdʒadjective

   Ordinary, neither high nor low.

   Two syllables: AV-rij.

9. restaurantˈrestərˌɑːntnoun

   A place where you pay to eat a meal.

   Two syllables: REST-ront. The AU in the middle is skipped.

10. eveningˈiːvnɪŋnoun

    The end of the day, before night.

    Two syllables: EEV-ning, not three.

Sentences

1. Is there a vegetable dish on the menu?
2. She brought chocolate back for the whole office.
3. This is a different room from yesterday.
4. I am here on business for a week.
5. My family is coming over this weekend.
6. The camera on this phone is very good.
7. He showed no interest in the idea.
8. It was an average day at work.
9. The restaurant near the station is closed.
10. Are you free later this evening?