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Flap T words

In American English a T between two vowels, with the stress on the first, becomes a quick tap that sounds close to a D: water becomes wa-der. British Received Pronunciation keeps a full T. Play each word in both accents and listen for the difference in the middle.

Accent

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

The words

water
better
city
little
letter
butter
party
later
matter
daughter
computer
beautiful
thirty
bottle
waiting

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Rhotic R words
Car, hard, farmer: Americans pronounce the R, the British do not. Hear both versions side by side.
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P and B aspiration pairs
Pin or bin, pat or bat. English P has a puff of air that B does not. Hear the pairs contrasted.
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ER sound words
Bird, work, learn, turn: five spellings, one vowel. Hear the central ER sound in every accent.
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Soft G and J sounds
Giant, judge, general: when G sounds like J. Learn the rule and hear it applied.
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WH words
What, where, who, whole: the WH spelling covers three different sounds. Hear which is which.
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Final consonant words
Words that must not lose their ending: cold, hand, act, felt. Practise finishing every consonant.
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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.