Consonant minimal pairs
These pairs isolate the consonant contrasts learners most often merge: th with s or t, v with b, and p with f. Focus on where your tongue and lips are rather than on the sound itself. Say both words of a pair aloud in sequence and feel the position change.
Accent
15 words · intermediate · your accent and voice are remembered across the site. More options on the settings page.
The words
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Long vs short vowel pairs
Ship or sheep, full or fool, pull or pool. Hear the tense and lax vowel pairs side by side.
Voiced TH words
The buzzing TH in this, that and mother. Feel your vocal cords vibrate on every one of these.
Voiceless TH words
The soft breathy TH in think, three and mouth. No vocal cord buzz, just airflow over the tongue.
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.
V vs W minimal pairs
Vest or west, vine or wine. Practise the lip position that separates English V from W.
S vs Z sounds
Sip or zip, price or prize. The only difference is voicing, and it changes the word completely.
Keep practising
Browse every practice list, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.