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One-syllable traps

These words are one syllable but pack three or four consonants at the end, which is where learners break them into two. Sixths requires four consonant sounds with no vowel anywhere between. Say them slowly first, then compress without inserting a helper vowel.

Accent

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

The words

sixths
strengths
twelfths
world
clothes
months
texts
depths
glimpsed
prompts
thirds
squirrel
rural
film
fifths

More lists like this

-ATE ending words
Separate the adjective, separate the verb: -ate changes vowel by word class. Hear both forms.
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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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V vs W minimal pairs
Vest or west, vine or wine. Practise the lip position that separates English V from W.
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S vs Z sounds
Sip or zip, price or prize. The only difference is voicing, and it changes the word completely.
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SH vs CH sounds
Ship or chip, share or chair. One flows, one starts with a tiny stop. Hear the pairs contrasted.
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NG sound words
The single nasal sound in sing, long and thinking. Not an N plus a G. Hear where the G disappears.
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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.