Simple Guide to Pronouncing Key English Sounds

 How to Pronounce the /ɔɪ/ Sound (Diphthong)

The /ɔɪ/ sound is a diphthong, which means it combines two vowel sounds in one. Here's a simple way to make it:

1. Start by shaping your mouth to make the sound /ɔ/, like saying the word "aw" in "law." Your tongue should be positioned low and slightly back in your mouth. Keep your lips rounded, like you're forming the letter "o."

2. Then, quickly move your tongue upward and forward in your mouth, while relaxing your lips. This forms the second sound, /ɪ/, like the "i" in "sit."

The transition from /ɔ/ to /ɪ/ should be fast and smooth, almost like a single sound. Your tongue starts low and back, and moves toward the front of your mouth.

Example Words with "oi":

• appoint
• avoid
• choice
• coin
• Illinois (pronounced /ɪləˈnɔɪ/)
• join
• joint
• noise
• oil
• point
• soil
• spoil
• voice

Example Words with "oy":

• boy
• destroy
• enjoy
• joy
• toy

How to Pronounce the /v/ Sound

The /v/ sound is voiced, meaning your vocal cords vibrate when you say it. Here’s how to make it:

1. Place the upper back of your lower lip against your upper teeth, but don't press too hard.

2. Let the air flow out through the gap between your teeth and lower lip, while vibrating your vocal cords.

This sound is called a fricative, because it’s made by forcing air through a narrow space.

Example Words with the /v/ Sound:

• Words starting with /v/: view, value, visit
• Words with /v/ in the middle: never, provide, level
• Words ending with /v/: love, have, give

How to Pronounce the /h/ Sound

The /h/ sound is produced by letting air flow out of your mouth, without using your vocal cords. It’s made in your throat, not with your tongue or lips. Here's how to do it:

1. Imagine you’re fogging up a mirror by breathing on it. The sound should feel like you’re exhaling air with a gentle "h" sound.

2. Your tongue stays low in your mouth, and your vocal cords don’t vibrate.

The /h/ sound is voiceless, meaning you don’t use your vocal cords, just air.

Silent "H"

Sometimes, the letter "h" is silent in certain words. You don’t pronounce the "h" in words like:

• honour
• hour
• honest
• heir

It’s also silent after certain letters, like:

• "gh" in ghost, ghastly, gherkin
• "r" in rhinoceros, rhubarb
• "w" in words like what, which, where

But remember, you do pronounce "h" in words like who (e.g., "Who’d have thought it?").

How to Pronounce the /ŋ/ Sound

The /ŋ/ sound, often written as "ng," is a nasal sound, which means the air flows through your nose. Here's how to make it:

1. Start by raising the back of your tongue to touch the soft part of the roof of your mouth (the soft palate), just like when you say /k/ or /g/.

2. Instead of letting air flow through your mouth, let it escape through your nose.

This sound is voiced, which means your vocal cords should vibrate while making it.

Examples of the /ŋ/ Sound:

• sing
• long
• song
• ring

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These instructions focus on how to make each sound clearly and accurately. Practicing these sounds in real words will help you improve your English pronunciation!