Cambridge dictionary lists the pronunciation of horse as /hɔːrs/ and that of whore as /hɔːr/. What exactly is the way to pronounce both of them?
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But if the pronunciation of whore is /hɔːr/, then the pronunciation of whores is /hɔːrz/, since the plural suffix is pronounced /z/ after /r/. So one is /hɔːrs/ and the other is /hɔːrz/. Can you tell the difference? – John Lawler Feb 03 '17 at 16:50
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There is tremendous and interesting answer to this in the linked original written by Araucaria... key quote 'Here is what is really happening when a native speaker hears the word whores and why they can differentiate it from the word horse. Unvoiced consonants have an effect on preceding vowels, whereby they cause them to become much shorter.' go read it! – Tom22 Feb 03 '17 at 20:41