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Final consonant words

Many languages end syllables with vowels, so learners often drop or soften English final consonants, turning cold into col. The ending carries meaning, including tense and plurality, so it has to be audible. Release each final consonant fully without adding an extra vowel after it.

Accent

15 words · intermediate · your accent and voice are remembered across the site. More options on the settings page.

The words

cold
hand
act
felt
hold
fact
help
milk
desk
last
best
past
kept
wind
world

More lists like this

Flap T words
Water, better, city: Americans tap the T like a quick D. Compare US and UK on every word.
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One-syllable traps
Sixths, strengths, twelfths, world: short words that are far harder than they look.
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Consonant minimal pairs
Think and sink, thin and tin, van and ban. Consonant contrasts that change the word entirely.
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Voiced TH words
The buzzing TH in this, that and mother. Feel your vocal cords vibrate on every one of these.
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Voiceless TH words
The soft breathy TH in think, three and mouth. No vocal cord buzz, just airflow over the tongue.
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R vs L minimal pairs
Rice or lice, right or light. Hear the R and L contrast that trips up many learners, pair by pair.
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Keep practising

Browse every practice list or the word index, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.

To read the rules behind these words, see the pronunciation guides — including silent letters, word stress and American vs British. Or hear each accent on its own page: American, British, Australian.