-ture suffix

Rule Core

The -ture ending appears mainly in nouns and comes from Latin -tura. Its key phonetic pattern is /tʃər/ or a reduced /tər/. The letter t is softened and blends with ure, rather than being released as a clear /t/.

Pronunciation Guide

Place the tongue tip near the alveolar ridge, release quickly into a light affricate /tʃ/. The lips stay relaxed; airflow is short and controlled. Stress usually falls on the syllable before -ture.

Word Analysis

Classic examples include future and culture. In contrast, infinity, intuitive, minority end in -ity, pronounced /-ɪti/. Although they contain a t, they do not follow the -ture sound rule. This comparison sharpens morphological awareness.

Pitfall Alert

Do not apply /tʃər/ whenever you see t + u. The rule only works when the exact ending -ture appears at word-final position.