This means your mouth should move from one position to another.
Spelling
- "oi" - noise, point
- "oy" - employ, oyster
LISTEN
| stressed_-oi-.mp3 |
This vowel is usually stressed, as in these words:
- noisy
- oyster
- enjoy
| unstressed_-oi-.mp3 |
However, /ɔɪ/ can be unstressed. In an
unstressed syllable, /ɔɪ/ is
pronounced quickly and softly.
- alloy
- viewpoint
- turmoil
COMPARE
Compare /ɔɪ/ with /ɑɪ/:
| compare_oi-ai_1.mp3 |
/ɔɪ/.../ɑɪ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɑɪ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɑɪ/...
These are both diphthong vowels. However, /ɔɪ/ starts with your tongue pulled backwards with your lips forming a circle, and /ɑɪ/ starts with your tongue pulled downwards with your lips widened.
.
These are both diphthong vowels. However, /ɔɪ/ starts with your tongue pulled backwards with your lips forming a circle, and /ɑɪ/ starts with your tongue pulled downwards with your lips widened.
.
You can hear the difference between /ɔɪ/ and /ɑɪ/ in these words.
| compare_oi-ai_words.mp3 |
1. A. boy, B. by
2. A. voice, B. vice
3. A. toys, B. ties
4. A. foil, B. file
5. A. point, B. pint
6. A. alloy, B, ally
2. A. voice, B. vice
3. A. toys, B. ties
4. A. foil, B. file
5. A. point, B. pint
6. A. alloy, B, ally
Now compare /ɔɪ/ and /ɔ/:
| compare_oi-o_1.mp3 |
/ɔɪ/.../ɔ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɔ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɔ/...
The sound /ɔ/ is a mid, back vowel. The sound /ɔɪ/ starts as /ɔ/ but it moves quickly into a high, front vowel.
The sound /ɔ/ is a mid, back vowel. The sound /ɔɪ/ starts as /ɔ/ but it moves quickly into a high, front vowel.
You can hear the difference between /ɔɪ/ and /ɔ/ in these words.
| compare_oi-o_words.mp3 |
1. A. joy, B. jaw
2. A. poise, B. pause
3. A. loin, B. lawn
4. A. oil, B. all
5. A. boiling, B. bawling
6. A. cloying, B. clawing
2. A. poise, B. pause
3. A. loin, B. lawn
4. A. oil, B. all
5. A. boiling, B. bawling
6. A. cloying, B. clawing
PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
| words_with_-oi-.mp3 |
|
1. boy
2. voice 3. soil 4. coin 5. point 6. annoy 7. noisy 8. avoid 9. oyster 10. poison |
11.
exploit
12. enjoying 13. employee 14. boiler 15. alloy 16. viewpoint 17. moisture 18. toiletries 19. voyage 20. loyal |
Now, practice /ɔɪ/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences:
| sentences_with_-oi-.mp3 |
1. boy - toys
The boy didn't put away all his toys.
2. annoyed - noisy
I'm annoyed by our noisy neighbors.
3. enjoys - coins
My uncle enjoys collecting old coins.
4. employees - joined
The new employees joined us for lunch.
5. pointed - oysters
My friend pointed out the shop that sells oysters.
6. avoid - oil
Please avoid putting too much oil in the food.
The boy didn't put away all his toys.
2. annoyed - noisy
I'm annoyed by our noisy neighbors.
3. enjoys - coins
My uncle enjoys collecting old coins.
4. employees - joined
The new employees joined us for lunch.
5. pointed - oysters
My friend pointed out the shop that sells oysters.
6. avoid - oil
Please avoid putting too much oil in the food.
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:
