Words where a T becomes a pause

1. 1
   button/ˈbʌtən/

   noun

   A small round disk on clothes that slips through a slit to hold them closed.
2. 2
   curtain/ˈkɜːrtən/

   noun

   A piece of cloth hung across a window to block the light.
3. 3
   mitten/ˈmɪtən/

   noun

   A glove that holds all four fingers together and the thumb on its own.
4. 4
   cotton/ˈkɑːtən/iAlso said ˈkɔːtən.

   noun

   Cloth woven from the fibers of the cotton plant.
5. 5
   mountain/ˈmaʊntən/

   noun

   A very high piece of land that rises well above everything around it.
6. 6
   fasten/ˈfæsən/

   verb

   Join or fix something so that it stays firmly in place.
7. 7
   tighten/ˈtaɪtən/

   verb

   Make something firmer or less loose.
8. 8
   listen/ˈlɪsən/

   verb

   Pay attention to what you can hear.
9. 9
   certain/ˈsɜːrtən/

   adjective

   Sure about something, with no doubt left in your mind.
10. 10
    forgotten/fərˈɡɑːtən/iAlso said fɔːrˈɡɑːtən.

    adjective

    Overlooked or left out without anyone meaning to.

The sentences

1. The top button on my coat is missing.

2. Don't open the curtain, everyone else is still asleep.

3. I can only find one mitten in the basket.

4. Don't wear cotton socks, they stay wet all day.

5. The mountain road takes about an hour from here.

6. Fasten the straps before we head out the door.

7. Tighten your boot laces before we get in the car.

8. Listen, the car is already running out front.

9. Are you certain you packed the water and snacks?

10. I've forgotten my hat and we're already late.

Pronunciation

• curtain/ˈkɜːrtən/

  The ending is a weak 'tn', not 'tain' rhyming with rain, and the stress sits on the first syllable.

• mountain/ˈmaʊntən/

  MOUN-tn, with a weak second syllable; it doesn't end like 'main'.

• fasten/ˈfæsən/

  The t is silent: fass-en.

• listen/ˈlɪsən/

  The t is silent: /ˈlɪsən/.

• forgotten/fərˈɡɑːtən/

  Stress the middle syllable: for-GOT-en.

Questions

What do you say if you can't find your other mitten?

You could say 'I can only find one mitten in the basket.'

What does 'fasten' mean?

Fasten means join or fix something so that it stays firmly in place, as in 'Fasten the straps before we head out the door.'

What do you say if you're running late?

You might say 'I've forgotten my hat and we're already late,' or 'Listen, the car is already running out front.'