 Show What are Minimal Pairs?The list of minimal pairs is perfect to practice English pronunciation because students have to distinguish between two similar sounds. For example, ship and sheep both sound the same. But they differ with one sound. If you want to define minimal pairs in linguistics, they are two similar-sounding words that differ in only one phonological element and have distinct meanings. Here are a list and examples of a minimal pair to help listening comprehension, pronunciation practice, and countless other skills. /R/ vs /L/ Minimal Pairs ExamplesGrammar / Glamour Royal / Loyal Arrive / Alive Ramp / Lamp Bowling / Boring Belly / Berry Rock / Lock Light / Right Grow / Glow Collect / Correct Climb / Crime Rag / Lag Link / Rink Gloom / Groom Lice / Rice Root / Loot Elect / Erect Cloud / Crowd Lack / Rack Ram / Lamb /S/ vs /TH/ Minimal Pairs ListSick / Thick Mouth / Mouse Sigh / Thigh Song / Thong Pass / Path Sink / Think Force / Fourth Math / Mass Thumb / Sum Saw / Thaw Myth / Miss Thing / Sing That / Sat /F/ vs /V/ Minimal Pairs ListFast / Vast Fender / Vendor Fan / Van Refuse / Reviews Foul / Vowel Fairy / Very Phase / Vase Vine / Fine Save / Safe Minimal Pairs and Pronunciation PracticeBecause some of these sounds dont exist in students native language, minimal pairs can go into uncharted territories. If you want to take your English pronunciation lessons to the next level, then you can give these 5 free minimal pair worksheets a shot. Alternatively, you can flat-out try out our 10 free pronunciation lesson plans. How do you like working with minimal pairs? Let us know with a comment below. |
