-ture ending

Core Rule

Words ending in -ture typically form nouns and are pronounced /tʃər/ (often reduced). Phonologically, t + ure → /tʃər/ via palatalization, as in nature, picture, future.

Articulation

Start with alveolar /t/, quickly glide to postalveolar /tʃ/; lips relaxed, finish with a schwa /ər/.

Examples

nature /ˈneɪtʃər/, picture /ˈpɪktʃər/, future /ˈfjuːtʃər/. Note: fortunately / unfortunately come from fortune (-tune) and are not -ture words—related in meaning, different in spelling and sound.

Pitfalls

Don’t read letter-by-letter (/tjuːr/). Keep the ending weak and avoid overpronouncing /r/.