Minimal Pairs

Consonants

B (voiced) and P (non voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound /b/ and the other the sound /p/.The main difference between /b/ and /p/ is that /b/ is a voiced sound, whereas /p/ is just produced by the puff of air. Also, /b/ is pronounced with less air released than/p/, and this can sometimes be a more useful distinction as it is difficult to feel the vocal cords vibrating when making the /b/ sound. ElementaryB – PSymbol – SimpleBeach – PeachStable – StapleBallot – PalateRobe – RopeBuy – PieBack – PackMob – Mopbar - Pabay- paybe - Pbear - pairberry - perrybet - petbig - pigblaze - playsbut - puttbutter - putterbuy - pieby - piebye - piecub - cupPre-Intermediateband - pannedbat - patbeer - pierbelt - peltbill - pillbin - pinbit - pitblade - playedblain - planebland - plannedbore –poor bored - pawedbought - portbraid - prayed

bull - pulllib - lippub - puptab - tapIntermediatebanned - pannedbare - parebase - pacebeak - peakbear - pearbeat - peatbee - peebitch - pitchblain - plainblank - plankblot - plotboard - pawedbow - powbraise - praysbride –pride browed - proudburr - perrobe - ropeUpper-IntermediateBah - parbead - peedbeak - peekbier - peerblaster - plasterbleed - pleadblink - plinkbore - pourbraise - praisebreast - pressedbreech - preachbrick - prickcab - caprib - riptribe - tripeAdvancedbatty - pattybeep - peepbeet -peatbi - piblade - plaidbleat - pleatbloom - plumeblunder - plunderblush - plushboar - paw

boar - pourboo - poobraise - preysbrat - pratbrawn - prawnbrig - prigbrim - primburr - purrbutt - putt

B (voiced) and V (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound /b/ and the other the sound /v/./b/ has the same mouth position as /p/, but using your voice. Try saying /p/ and then holding your neck to make sure that your voice is being used when you say /b/. There should be a sudden release of air as you say the sound, meaning that it is impossible to extend it./v/ has the same mouth shape as /f/, but using your voice. Put your top teeth on your bottom lip. It is possible to extend this sound for as long as you like.ElementaryB - Vbat - vatbeer - veerberry - verybest - vestbowl - volePre-Intermediateban - vanbars - vaseboat - votebow (v/n) -vowbowels - vowelsburbs - verbsgibbon - givenserb - serveIntermediatebale - veilbars - vasebent - ventbest - vestbet - vetUpper-Intermediatebane - vainbury - verybow (v/n) - vowlobes - loavesrebel - revelAdvanced/Proficiencybale - veil

bane - veinbat - vatbeer - veerbent - ventbid - vidbile - vilebiz - vizbolt - voltbowels - vowelsbowl - volebroom - vroomburbs - verbscurb - curvedribble - driveldub - dovefibre - fivergibbon - givenjibe - jivelobes - loavesrebel - revelverb - verven = noun, v = verb

D (voiced) and T (non voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the beginning sound /t/ and the other the beginning sound /d/.Initial /t/ and /d/ are much easier to recognise than final /t/ and /d/. The mouth and tongue positions are very similar, but for /t/ we don’t use the vocal cords but instead release much more air, at times making it almost like spitting. You should be able to feel that air on a hand held just in front of your mouth.At the beginning of the word (Initial)Elementarytour - doortown - downtwo - doPre-Intermediatetie - dieton - donetoo - dotouch - Dutchtrain - draintry - dryIntermediatetear (v/n) - daretear (n) - dearten - dentide - dyedtip - diptongue - dungtorn - dawn

Upper-Intermediatetame - dametart - dartteal - dealteam - deemtech - deckteen - deantent - denttide - diedtin - dintire - diretoast - dosedtoe - doetoes - dozetomb - doomtough - dufftout - doubttower - dourtuck - ducktug - dugtux - duckstyre - direAdvancedtab - dabtail - daletale - daletamp - damptank - dankteed - deedtell - delltick - dicktier - deertill - dilltine - dinetint - dinttitch - ditchtock - docktosh - doshtoss - dosstote - dotetresses - dressestub - dubtummy - dummytusk - dusk    tyke – dikeAt the End of the word (Final)Elementaryant - andat - addbat - bad

bet - bedbut - budcat - cadeight - aidfat - fadfeet - feedgot - godhat - hadhot - hodit - idmeet - meadnot - nodshort - shoredwait - weighedwrite - ridePre-Intermediatebought - boredcart - cardheart - hardhit - hidhurt - heardmat - madmeant - mendneat - needplate - playedsat - sadsent - sendset - saidsheet - she’dsight - sidespent - spendstate - stayedtaught - touredIntermediatebeat - beadbent - bendbright - bridecute - queueddebt - deadheat - heedheight - hidekit - kidoat - owedpat - padport - pouredpot - podquit - quidroute - rudeslight - slidesought - sawed

tent - tendtight - tiedUpper-Intermediatebleat - bleedcot - codfate - fadefloat - flowedfont - fondgloat - glowedhaunt - hornedmoat - modemount - moundplot - plodscant - scannedsite - sighedskit - skidslit - slidspite - spiedstunt - stunnedtint - tinnedtrot - trodAdvanced/Proficiencyblurt - blurredclot - clodfaint - feignedgoat - goadgrit - gridnought - gnawedpant - pannedpeat - peedpert - purredplaint - planedpleat - pleadpunt - punnedshunt - shunnedskint - skinnedspurt - spurredstoat - stowedtart - tarredteat - teed

G /g/ (voiced) and K /k/ (non voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one beginning with the sound /k/ and the other beginning with the sound /g/./k/ and /g/ are pronounced with identical mouth positions, however /k is pronounced without using the vocal chords and with more air pushed through the throat.Elementarycame - gamecard - guardclass - glass

cold - goldcould - goodPre-Intermediatecave - gaveclean - gleancot - gotcrate - greatcrease - GreeceIntermediatecap - gapcash - gashCo. - gocoast - ghostcoat - goatcome - gumcon - gonecourse - gorsecrab - grabcram - gramcreek - Greekcrepe - grapecrew - grewcroup - groupcrow - growcurly - girlycut - gutK - gaykey - gheekill - gillUpper-Intermediatecane - gainclad - gladclamour - glamourclue - gluecod - godcrane - graincrease - greasecreed - greedcrime - grimekrill - grillAdvancedcab - gabcaf - gaffcape - gapeclam - glamcob - gobcoo - goocord - goredcore - gorecork - gawk

corp - gawpcosh - goshcoup - goocoy - goycramps - grampscrate - gratecraven - gravencraze - grazecripes - gripescrowned - groundcrumble - grumblecuff - guffcull - gullcunning - gunningcurd - girdcussed - gustkale - galekilt - giltkit - gitkraut - grout

V (voiced) and F (non voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound /f/ and the other having /v/ in its place. (f) and (v) are pronounced with the same mouth position of the top teeth biting the bottom lip, but with (f) pronounced with more air and no use of the voicebox.Elementary and Pre-Intermediatefan - vanfast - vastfat - vatferry - veryFife - fivefine - vinegif - giveleaf - leaveoff - ofIntermediatefear - veerfee - Vfile - vilefoul vowelhalf - halvelife - live (adjective)proof - provesafe - savewaif - waveUpper-Intermediatebelief - believefail - veilfault - vault

feel - vealfeign - vainfender - vendorfetch - vetchfoist - voicedgrief - grievereef - reevestaff - starvesurf - serveAdvancedcalf - carvechaff - chavduff - dovefeign - veinfie - viefoal - volefox - voxguff - guvserf - serveskiff - skivstrife - strivewaif – waive

F (non voiced) and H (non voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound /h/ and the other having the sound /f/.(h) is pronounced with a puff of air from a wide open mouth so that, for example, “ha” can be said without changing your mouth position. It is similar to blowing steam onto your glasses so you can clean them and a bit like a sigh.(f) is pronounced with a much smaller mouth than (h), with your upper teeth touching your lower lip. This means that, unlike “ha”, you have to open your mouth wider to say the second part of the word “far”. Using the same mouth position as (f), your voice produces the sound (v). Elementaryfat - hatfate - hatefed - headfee - hefeel - he'llfees - he'sfeet - heatfir - herfive - hivefizz - hisfour - whorePre-Intermediatefair - hairfall - hallfar - hafart - heart

feel - heelfew - hewfit - hitfound - houndfun - Hunfunny - honeyphone - honeIntermediatefail - hailfare - harefarm - harmfear - hearfight - heightfill - hillfix - hicksfoal - wholefog - hogforce - horseUpper-Intermediatefaced - hastefad - hadfake - hakefang - hangfeed - he’dfell - hellfence - hencefoam - homefop - hopfug - hugphase - hazeAdvanced/Proficiencyfag - hagfawn - hornfey - hayfob - hobfoe - hoefoes - hosefore - hawfowl - howlfunky - hunkyfurl - hurl

(F) /f/ (non voiced) and (Th)(non voiced) /θ/Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the consonant sound (f)/f/ and the other having the consonant sound (th)/θ/ in its place.Both sounds are non voiced, meaning that you can make the sound just by blowing out air without needing to use your voice. (f) has the same mouth position as the voiced (v) sound, with the top teeth on the bottom lip and the tongue inside the mouth. (th) has the mouth more open with the tongue between the teeth and poking

out of the mouth. You can practise the (th) by making sure your tongue touches a finger placed in front of your lips.Elementaryfree - threePre-Intermediatedeaf - deathfought - thoughtfour - thawIntermediatefin - thinfirst - thirstfor - thawfresh - threshfreeze - threesfro - throwfroze - throwsUpper-Intermediatefief - thieffirm - Thermfort - thoughtfrill - thrillfurred - thirdAdvancedduff - dothfang - thangfawn - thornfore - thawfret - threatfrieze - threesfug - thugoaf - oathtrough - troth

Th (voiced) and Th (non voiced)Bathe – BathClothe – ClothTeethe – TeethThen – ThinMouth (v) – Mouth (n)Breathe – Breath

S (non voiced) and Th (non voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound (s)/s/ and the other the sound (th) (non voiced)/θ/.At least while you are making a conscious effort to do so, it is fairly easy to pronounce these two sounds differently. (th)/θ/ is pronounced with your tongue between your teeth and sticking out of your mouth, and you can make sure you pronounce it clearly by putting your finger vertically in front of your lips and checking that it gets wet when you make this sound. (s)/s/ is pronounced with the tongue well inside your mouth and the mouth much more widely stretched.

Elementaryface - faithforce - fourthkiss - kithmouse -mouthsing -thingsong -thongtense - tenthPre-Intermediatemass - mathNorse - Northsaw - thawsick - thicksink - thinksort - thoughtworse - worthIntermediatemiss - mythpass - pathrace - wraithseem - themesome - thumbsore - thawtruce - truthuse(n) - youthUpper-Intermediategross - growthpurse - Perthseam - themesigh - thighsin - thinsought - thoughtsum - thumbAdvancedmoss - mothpiss - pithsank - thanksawn - thornsuds - thudssump - thumpsymbol – thimble

Th (voiced) /ð/ and Z (voiced) /z/ Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound (th)/ð/ and the other the sound (z)/z/.(th) (voiced)/ð/ is similar to the sound (th) (non voiced)/θ/ in "thing" and so is also pronounced with your tongue touching or between your teeth. It can be useful to practise by sticking your tongue right out of your mouth. You can check if you are doing so with a mirror or by putting a finger in front of your lips that should get moist

each time. (th)/ð/ in "that" uses your voice, which is why it is sometimes confused with the voiced sound (z)/z/.(z)/z/ is pronounced with the mouth in the same position as with (s)/s/, but using the vocal cords. The tongue is well inside the mouth, and it can also help to spread the lips thin and wide to make the sound unlike (th) (voiced)/ð/.ElementarySeethe - CsSheathe - she'sTeethe - Tswith - whizzPre-IntermediateClothe - close (v)Lithe - liesScythe - sizeSeethe - seesthen - ZenIntermediateclothing closingseethe* seasteethe - teasteething - teasingtithe - tiesUpper-Intermediatebathe - baysbreathe - breezeloathe - lowssoothe - suesAdvancedbathe - baizelathe - lazescythe - sighsseethe - seizeteethe - tease

ge (g) (voiced) and ys (z) (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound (ge)/ʤ/ and the other having the sound (ys)/z/.(ge)/ʤ/ is an explosive sound that is like a voiced version of (ys)/ʧ/ and therefore almost like a sneeze and so it is impossible to extend the sound for very long. /z/ is a smooth sound that is a voiced version of /s/ and so can be extended as long as you like.ElementaryCage - Kspage - payssiege - seesstage - stayswodge - wasPre-IntermediateBarge - barschange - chains

charge - charsforge - foursfridge - frizzgip - zipsiege - Cswage - waysIntermediateBinge - binsGauge - gaysGunge - gunsJew - zooRage - raisestrange - strainstinge - tinsUpper-IntermediateFlange - flansfudge - fuzzmage - mazemarge - Marsrage - rayssarge - SARSsiege - seizesinge - sinsAdvancedbudge - buzzgauge - gazegorge - gauzegrange - grainsjag - zagjest - zestjig - zigpurge – purrs

Z (voiced) and S (non voiced)Diseased – DeceasedRaising – RacingEyes – IcePrize – PriceZeal – SealZinc – SinkSpies – SpiceKnees – Niece

S (non voiced) and Sh (non voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound (s)/s/ and the other the sound (sh)/ʃ/.(sh)/ʃ/ is produced with a much more rounded mouth than (s)/s/, and is the sound we make when we want people to be quiet. If you use your voice with that mouth position, you get the middle sound in "pleasure" and "television".

(s)/s/ is said with the lips pulled back more, with the same mouth position as (z)/z/ but without using your voice.ElementaryC - shegas - gashsea - sheseal - she’llseat - sheetsee - shesingle - shinglesock - shocksofa - chauffeursop - shopsun - shunPre-Intermediateboss - boshcost - coshedcrass - crashdiss - dishplus - plushpuss - pushsale - shalesave - shaveseen - sheenso - showson - shunsore - suresort - shortIntermediatefist - fishedmess - meshrust - rushedsank - shanksaw - shorescene - sheenseed - she’dseek - chicseep - sheepsell - shellsew - showsign - shinesit - shitsot - shotUpper-Intermediateass - ashcrust - crushedmass - mashsack - shacksaid - shedsail - shale

sake - shakesame - shameseize - she’ssigh - shysin - shinsip - shipsue - shoeAdvancedbass - bashdoss - doshgust - gushedmoss - moshsag - shagsass - sashsawn - shornseer - sheersift - shiftsill - shillsine - shinesod - shodsucks - shuckstoss - tosh

Zh sound (3) (voiced) and SH (ʃ) (non voiced)Illussion – AleutionDelusion – DilutionAzure – AsherAsians – HatiansPleasure – Pressure

J (voiced and non voiced) and Ch (non voiced)Jane – ChainJoking – ChokingRidge – RichBadge – BatchEdging – EtchingGin – ChinJill’s – ChillsMarge – March

Ch (non voiced) or tch (non voiced) and T (non voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound (tch)/ʧ/ and the other the sound (t)/t/./t/ is pronounced by putting the tip of your tongue against the top of your mouth just behind your top teeth and pulling it down, making the "tut tut" sound you make when you disapprove of something. The tongue and mouth positions are the same as when you pronounce /d/, but with /t/ the voice is not used and you release more air./ʧ/ is pronounced without your tongue moving and with more air released than with/t/. It is similar to the sound of a sneeze, and the air released should be able to move a

piece of paper or be felt on your hand five centimetres in front of your mouth. It is most similar to the sound /ʤ/, but again without the voice and with more air released.Elementarycatch - catcheese - teasechew - twochild - tiledchime - timehatch - hatmuch - muttnotch - notouch - outpeach - peatstarch - startteach - teatwatch - whatwhich - witPre-Intermediatebeach - beatchest - testchip - tipchoose - twoschore - tourchose - toeschurn - turncoach - coateach - eatmatch - matrich - writroach - wrotetorch - taughtIntermediatebelch - beltbench -bentchair - tearchap - tapchat - tatcheat - teatcheek - teakchew - toochill - tillchin - tinchop - topitch - itparch - partpunch - punttouch - tutwrench - rentUpper-Intermediatearch - -bat

bitch - bitbunch - buntchart - tartcheer - tearchick - tickchore - torehitch - hithunch - huntmarch - martpatch - patpitch - pitporch - portScotch - Scotwitch - witAdvanced/Proficiencybeech - beetbitchy - bittybleach - bleatblotch - blotbotch - botcatchy - cattychar - tarchide - tidechirps - turpschit- titchoke - tokechubby - tubbychuffed - tuftchug - tugflinch - flinthooch - hoothutch - hutkitsch - kitlynch - lintmooch - mootperch - pertpouch - poutroach - rotetorch - torttwitch - twit

R (voiced) and L (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound /r/ and the other the sound /l/./l/ is pronounced with a large flap of the tongue. The best way to make it clear that you aren’t pronouncing /r/ is to make sure that you put the tip of your tongue on the back of your upper teeth./r/ is totally unlike /l/ for English speakers. In fact, some people pronounce it much more like /w/. However with the /r/ you do not move your lips, as with the /w/ you move the lips while pronouncing the letter.The best way of making the distinction is

try to move your tongue as little as possible when making the sound, and by pulling it as far back into your mouth as possible, almost swallowing it. Make sure that your lips are as far forward as possible.Elementaryalive - arrivebelly - berryblight - brightblue - brewblush - brushflee - freefly - frylane - rainled - redlead - readlice - ricelight - rightload - roadlong - wrongloom - roomlot - rotplay – prayPre-Intermediateblew - brewclash - crashcollect - correctglamour - grammarglass - grasslace - racelamp - ramplate - ratelaw - rawled - redleader - readerlied - ridelighter - writerlock - rocklocker - rockerluck - rucklush – rushIntermediateclown - crownfleas - freezeglow - growlack - racklair - rarelake - rakelamb - ramlane - rainlather - ratherlaze - raise

lead - readleech - reachlies - riselip - riplist - wristlob - roblocket - rocketloot - rootlows - rosepilot – pirateUpper Intermediatebelly - berryblues - bruiseblush - brushflee - freeflees - freezelaid - raidlamp - ramplank - ranklap - wraplate - ratelay - raylead - redleer - rearlentil - rentallid - ridlot - rotloyal - royalplay – prayAdvanced/Proficiencyblacken - brackenblight - brightblew - brewclash - crashflea - freefleas - freezegland - grandglow - growjelly - jerrylace - racelack - racklag - raglagging - ragginglair - rarelake - rakelamb - ramlank - ranklash - rashlather - ratherlaw - raw

laze - razelead - reedleek - reekleap - reapleech - reachleer - rearlib - riblice - ricelick - ricklight - ritelimb - rimlime - rhymelink - rinklit - writloam - roamloaves - roveslob - roblobe - robelook - rookloom - roomlute - routelope - ropelout - routlubber - rubberluck - rucklug - ruglump - rumplung - runglush - rushlust - rustsplat - spratsplint – sprint

N (n) (voiced) and ing /ŋ/ (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound (n)/n/ and the other having the sound (ing)/ŋ/.Both (n)/n/ and (ing)/ŋ/ are pronounced with air coming through your nose, with you blocking the air in your mouth with the front of your tongue for (n)/n/ and the back of your tongue for (ing)/ŋ/.Elementaryband - bangedhand - hangedsin - singthin - thingwin - wingwind - wingedPre-Intermediatedone - dungfan - fanggone - gong

kin - kingsun - sungIntermediatepan pang*pin - pingran - rangtin - tington - tongueUpper-Intermediateban - bangbanned - bangedbun - bunghun - hungpond - pongedtan - tangAdvancedbonze - bongschin - chingclan - clangdin - dingdon - dongdun - dungstun – stung

(N) /n/ (voiced) and (M) /m/ (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one ending with the sound /m/ and the other ending with the sound /n/Both sounds are produced with the air coming through your nose. With /m/ that is achieved by closing your lips, whereas with /n/ the lips are open and your tongue touching the top of your mouth behind your teeth blocks the air. Even students who do not find these sounds difficult to recognise and produce at the beginning of syllables can have problems when they are at the end of words.Elementaryam -ancam - canfoam - phonehome - honemam - manmeme - meansum - sonterm - turntime - tinePre-Intermediatebeam - beencame -caneclimb - clinecomb - conegnome - knownseam - scenespam - span

sum - suntrams - transIntermediateboom - boondime - dinefame - feigngame - gaingum - gunseem - seenteam - teenterm - terntome - toneUpper-Intermediateblame - blainclam - clandorm - dawndumb - dungram - gransame - sanescam - scanskim - skintomb - 'toonAdvancedbeam - beandeem - deandim - dingleam - gleangrim - grinsim- sinsperm - spurnteem - teenthyme - tine

(Minimal Pair Words) (Vowels)

(E) /i:/ (Voiced) and (i) /ɪ/ (Voiced)As indicated by the /:/ part of its symbol, (E) /i:/ is a longer sound than (i) /ɪ/ and pronouncing it this way can help distinguish between the two in the pairs of words below. You will also notice, however, that (i) /ɪ/ does not have a dot over it, making it a different mouth position from (E)/i:/. The sound (E)/i:/ is said with the mouth much more spread, something like a broad smile. This is why we say "cheese" rather than "chiz" (or "whizz") when we take photos.

Elementarybin - beanbitch - beachchip - cheapdid - deed

fit - feetgrin - greenhis - he’sis - easeit - eatmitt - meetsit - seatslip – sleepPre-Intermediatebit - beateach - itchfill - feelhid - heedhill - he’llhit - heatill - eelkill - keelkip - keeplip - leapmill - mealpick – peek/peakpiss – piece/peacepitch - peachshill - she’llsick - seeksin - seenstill - stealIntermediatechick - cheekchit - cheatdill - dealgin – gene/jeangrid - greedhip - heapkid - keyedknit - neatlick - leakpiss - peacerisen - reasonshit - sheetsill - sealsim - seemsin - scenestill - steeltill - tealtin - teentizz - teasUpper-Intermediate‘til - tealbid - bead

bitch - beechbiz - beescist - ceaseddip - deepfist - feastfizz - feespill - peelpip - peeppit - peatshin - sheenskid - skiedskim - schemetick - teakAdvanced/Proficiencybib - Beebblip - bleepbritches - breechescrick - creekdin - deanfinned - fiendflit - fleetgip - jeepgrist - greasedsim - seamsip - seepskit - skeetslick - sleekslit - sleettit - teattizz – tease

(e)/e/ (voiced) and (i)/I/ (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the vowel sound (e)/e/ and the other the vowel sound (i)/ɪ/. You can use this to practise the sounds or as a list of words to be careful to pronounce properly.Both sounds are short, with (i)/I/ being pronounced with a wider mouth, almost in a kind of smile. This makes it much closer to the long sound (E) /i:/ than it is to the short sound (e)/e/.Elementarydead - diddesk – diskPre-Intermediatebelt - builtfell - fillhead - hidleft - liftmess – missIntermediatebed - bidbeg - big

bell - billbet - bitcheck - chickgem - gymhell - hillhem - himlet - litpet – pitUpper-Intermediatebend - binnedbent - bintcheque - chickdeck - dickfen - finget - gitjest - gistleapt - lippedled - lidlest - listkecks - kickskept - kippedmeddle - middlemessed - mistpeg - pigset - sitAdvancedbless - blissCelt - kiltclef - cliffclench - clinchcrept - cryptdell - dillden - dindent - dintfetter - fitterfez - fizzfleck - flickfretter - frittergelding - gildingheck - hickhem - hymnhep - hiphex - hicksken - kinMed - midphlegm - flimquell – quill

(e)/e/ (voiced) and (A)/eɪ/ (voiced)

Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the vowel sound (e)/e/ and the other the vowel sound (A)/eɪ/. (e)/e/ is a short single sound that is pronounced without your mouth moving, whereas (A)/eɪ/ is a diphthong (a merging of two sounds) and your mouth gets smaller as you are making the sound.Elementarybed - badebread - braidetch - Hfess - faceget - gatekecks - cakesL - aleM - aimpet - pateS - aceTech - takewell - whalewet - waitwhen - wanewren – rainPre-Intermediatebest - basededge - agefell - faillet - latemen - mainmet - matepen - painpent - paintpled - playedrest - racedsell - saleset - satesex - sakesspecial - spatialtest - tastewest – waistIntermediateBeck- bakebell - bailbet - baitchess - chasedebt - datefem - fame gel - jailled - laidlens - lanesshell - shaletell - tale

tent - tainttrend - trainedwedge - wageX – achesUpper-Intermediatebled - bladebreast - bracedfed - fadefez - phasefret - freighthell - hailless - lacemess - macephlegm - flamered - raidsent - saintshed - shadesped - spadetread - tradewed - wadewreck – rakeAdvancedbetted - bateddell - daleden - deignfen - feignfend - feignedfleck - flakefled - flayedheck - hakehex - hakesken - canelest - lacedpest - pasterend - rainedstead - stayedvend - veinedwend - waned

(a)/æ/ (voiced) and (u)/ʌ/ (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound (a)/æ/ and the other the sound (u)/ʌ/. (a)/æ/ and (u)/ʌ/ are the two closest vowel sounds in English and so it is very difficult to hear and pronounce the difference. In fact, in some American accents there is no distinction between the two. It is still worth language learners working on the difference between them, however, as there are many words that vary only by this sound.Elementarybat - butbatter - butter

cap - cupcat - cutmatch – muchPre-Intermediatebad - budbegan - begundrank - drunkfan - funhat - hutran - runsang - sungswam – swumIntermediateankle - uncleback - buckbadge - budgebag - bugban - bunbank - bunkbanker - bunkerbrash - brushcam - comecrash - crushdabble - doubledad - dudham - humhang - hungmad - mudmassed - mustpan - punrang - rungrash - rushsack - sucksax - sucksstand - stunnedtrack – truckUpper-Intermediatebang - bungcab - cubcram - crumbdam - dumbdamp - dumpdram - drumfanned - fundflash - flushgnat - nuthag - hugpaddle - puddlepack - puckpat - putt

rag - rugsand - sunnedsank - sunkscam - scumslam - slumslang - slungstack - stuckstank - stunktang - tonguetag - tugtramps - trumpswan – wonAdvancedblabber - blubberchamp - chumpdab - dubdank - dunkflank - flunkflax - fluxgash - gushglam - glumgrab - grubhanker - hunkerhash - hushhatch - hutchjag - juglag - lugmat - muttpap - puppatter - putterrabble - rubbleram - rumsally - sullysap - supsapper - supperscram - scrumshacks - shucksslag - slugslash - slushslat - slutstab - stubtab - tubtack - tucktat - tutthrash – thrush

(O) /əʊ/ (voiced) and (a) /ɔ:/ (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the sound /əʊ/ and the other the sound /ɔ:/. 

The sound of /əʊ/ (as in "O", "oh" and "owe") is a diphthong, meaning two vowel sounds blended into one. You should be able to see the mouth moving from one position to the other while making the sound, with the mouth becoming smaller and rounder. You can emphasize and control this by holding your hand in front of your mouth and bringing the fingers in towards each other as you move from the first part of the sound to the last part.The sound of /ɔ:/ (as in "or" and "awe") is a single long sound. The mouth doesn't move while making this sound, and you can pronounce it as long as you have breath.Elementarybowl - balldoe - doorfoe – for/fourgo - goreknow – no/normoaning - morningmow - moreO - orso – sawPre-Intermediateboat - boughtbode – board/boredbone – born/borneclose - clawsdoze - doorsdrone - drawnflow – flaw/floorfoal - fallfolk - forknote - noughtpoke - porkroad/rode - roaredsew/so – saw/soreshow - sureshown - shornsnow - snorestow - storetote - taughtIntermediatechose - chorescoast - coursedcrow - crawdome - dormgoal - gallhole/whole – hall/haulknow/no - norlow - lawmotor - mortarowe - orroe/row – raw/roar

toe – tore/tourtone – tornUpper-Intermediatecode - cordcone - corndoze - doorsdrone - drawnfoam - formgo - gorehone - hornload - lordmoan - mournmoaning – morning/mourningmow - moreoat - oughtowed - awedpoach - porchquote - quartsew/so – saw/soar/soreshow – shore/suresnow – snoreAdvancedbode – board/boredbone – born/bornebow – boar/borechoke - chalkclose - clawscoke - corkcopes - corpsedoe - doorflow – flaw/floorfoe – for/fore/fourgoad - goredgoal - gallho/hoe – hoar/whorehole/whole – hall/haulhose - whoresimplode - imploredjoe - jawknow/no – gnaw/norload/lode - lordlow – law/loremoan – morn/mournmole - maulmow – moor/morenode - gnawedOh/owe - oarode/owed - awedpose – pause/pawsroad/rode - roared

roe/row – raw/roarscone - scornstoke - storkstow - storetoad/towed - touredtote – taught/taut/tort

(o)/ɒ/ (voiced) and (O)/əʊ/. (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the vowel sound (o)/ɒ/ and the other the vowel sound (O)/əʊ/. You can use this to practise the sounds or as a list of words to be careful to pronounce properly.(o)/ɒ/ is a short single sound made without the mouth moving. (O)/əʊ/ is a diphthong – a longer sound made of two sounds – meaning that the mouth moves during production of the sounds.Elementarynot - notewant - won’tPre-Intermediategot - goathop - hopeon – ownIntermediatecost - coastnon - knownodd - owedrod - roadrot - wrotesop - soapstock - stoketossed - toastwok – wokeUpper-Intermediateblock - blokebond - bonedbossed - boastclock - cloakcock - cokecod - codecol - coalcop - copegod - goadjock - jokemod - modepop - poperob - roberod - rodeROM - roamshod - showedsmock - smoke

sock - soaksod – sewedAdvancedblot - bloatbod - bodebonze - boneschock - chokecocks - coaxcon - conecrock - croakdoss - dosedot - dotefoggy - fogeyglob - globehod - hoedlob - lobelop - lopemod - mowedmop - mopemot - motenod - nodeodd - oderot - roteslop - slopesod - sowedtock - toketod - toadtot – tote

(a)/æ/  (voiced) and (e)/e/ (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the vowel sound (a)/æ/ and the other the vowel sound (e)/e/.If these two sounds are the same in your language, it may be difficult for you to pronounce them differently because:native speakers pronounce (a)/æ/ in several different ways(a)/æ/ is quite similar to (e)/e/The clearest difference is that /e/ is spoken with a wider, more stretched mouth. You can make this clear by seeing how your mouth gets wider and wider as you go from (a)/æ/ to (e)/e/ to (i)/i:/.ElementaryAxe- Xback - beckbad - bedbag - begcan - kenham - hemjam - gemman - menpat – pet

Pre-Intermediateand - endflash - fleshgnat - nethad - headpack - peckpan - pensad - saidsat - setspanned – spendIntermediateband - bendbat - betdad - deadgas - guessgassed- guestland - lendmanned - mendmarry - merryshall – shellUpper-Intermediateaxe - exfad - fedmat - metrabble - rebelsacks - sexsax - sextack - techtamper - tempertrack – trekAdvancedbland - blendcattle - kettledab - debfanned - fendflax - flecksfrat - frettamp - temptrad - treadvat – vet

(a)/ɑ:/  (voiced) and (ir)/ɜ:/ (voiced)Below are lists of words that vary only by one having the vowel sound (a)/ɑ:/ and the other the vowel sound (ir)/ɜ:/.Both sounds are long single sounds but the mouth position is different, with (a)/ɑ:/having a much wider open mouth position. This is why your doctor asks

you to say this sound to show him or her inside your mouth. (ir/er/ur)/ɜ:/ is much more like the sound people make when they are disgusted.Elementarybar - burrbath - berthcar - curcard - curdfast - firstguard - girdha - herSCART – skirtPre-IntermediateBard - birdfar - firhard - heardhard - herdheart - hurtparse - pursepass - pursepast – pursedIntermediateBarn - burnbath - birthcart - curtfar - furfarm - firmPa - perpart - pertsharper – SherpaUpper-Intermediatebark - berkblah - blurcard - Kurdcarve - curvedart - dirtpar - purrpark - perkshark - shirkstar – stirAdvancedarc - irkbarbs - burbscarbs - curbsharpies - herpesparched - perchedparp - perpquark - quirksarge - surgetarps – turps

This phonemic chart uses symbols from the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). IPA symbols are useful for learning pronunciation. The symbols on this chart represent the 44 sounds used in British English speech (Received Pronunciation or RP, an educated accent associated with but not exclusive to south-east England).

Minimal pairs are words that vary by only a single sound, usually meaning sounds that students often get confused by, like the "th" and "t" in "thin" and "tin".