Pronunciation & IPA Guides

A consonant cluster is two or more consonant sounds with no vowel between them, like /str/ in street. Learn the initial, medial and final clusters with practice.

The final -s has three sounds: /s/, /z/ and /ɪz/. Which one you use depends on the last sound of the word. Full rules, 53 examples and a practice answer key.

The -ed ending has three sounds: /t/, /d/ and /ɪd/. The one you use depends on the last sound of the base verb, not the spelling. Rules, 55 examples and practice.

In natural English, words run together and sounds change at the joins. Learn linking, elision, assimilation and weak forms with IPA examples and practice.

Phonemic transcription uses /slashes/ and records contrasts. Phonetic transcription uses [brackets] and records detail. Here is the difference, with examples.

The hardest English words to say, grouped by what makes them hard. Over 100 words with IPA, easy respelling and a note on the exact trap in each one.

Silent letters are letters you write but never say, like the k in knee. Here are the main patterns, the exceptions, and 150+ examples with IPA transcriptions.

Graduation forms ask for a phonetic spelling of your name. Here is the format announcers use, with syllable breaks, stress capitals and worked examples.

A minimal pair is two words that differ by exactly one sound, like ship and sheep. Here are 150+ verified English minimal pairs in IPA, grouped by contrast.

Word stress in English means one syllable is louder, longer and higher. Learn primary and secondary stress, the IPA marks, and the patterns that predict them.

English has 24 consonant sounds. This guide lists every one in IPA with example words, plain respelling, and the place and manner behind each sound.

Learn how to read IPA step by step. This beginner's guide explains the symbols, slashes, and stress marks, with plain respelling and audio for every example.