Sounds that change meaning
v and w, the two 'th' sounds, short and long vowels, and clusters at the start of words.
15 minutes · A free lesson from Pronunciation
Many speakers of Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi find the same few English sounds difficult, because their first language does not separate them. These are the ones that most affect how easily you are understood.
/v/ and /w/
In English these are two different sounds, and they change meaning: vest / west, vine / wine.
- /v/: top teeth lightly on the bottom lip, with voice. very, village, have
- /w/: lips rounded as if to say "oo", teeth not touching. we, west, when
The two "th" sounds
- /θ/ (no voice): tongue tip lightly between the teeth, air flowing. think, three, thank you
- /ð/ (voice): the same position with voice. this, that, mother
Short and long vowels
ship / sheep, sit / seat, full / fool. The short vowel is short and relaxed; the long one is longer and tenser.
Words that start with s + consonant
Say school, speak, station starting directly with /s/ — not "is-school" or "sa-tation".
Listen: v and w
Sign in to play the recording. The transcript:
- Speaker: very well. village, walk. vine, wine. vest, west.
Say it out loud (10 seconds): Say: "We went for a very long walk in the village."
Say it out loud (10 seconds): Say: "I think three thousand is the right number."
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: How do you make the /v/ in “very”?
- Lips rounded, teeth apart
- Top teeth lightly on the bottom lip, with voice
- Tongue between the teeth
Show the answer
B: Top teeth lightly on the bottom lip, with voice — /w/ is the one with rounded lips: we, west, when.
Quick check: Which pair is told apart only by /v/ and /w/?
- ship and sheep
- think and sink
- vest and west
Show the answer
C: vest and west — vest and west, vine and wine. ship and sheep differ in a short and a long vowel.
Quick check: How do you start the word “school”?
- Directly with /s/
- With “is”: is-school
- With an extra vowel: sa-chool
Show the answer
A: Directly with /s/ — Words that start with s and a consonant begin straight on the /s/.
Quick check: Which word has the voiced “th”, /ð/?
- think
- three
- mother
Show the answer
C: mother — this, that and mother have voice. think, three and thank you do not.
Marked as soon as you finish — free with an account.Practise now