Spelling:
- "a" - cat, fan
- "au" - laugh, aunt
- "ai" - plaid
LISTEN
COMPARE
Compare /æ/ with /ɛ/:
| compare_ae-e_1.mp3 |
/æ/…/ɛ/…/æ/…/ɛ/…/æ/…/ɛ/…
These are both front vowels. However, /æ/ is a low, tense vowel and /ɛ/ is a mid, lax vowel. When you pronounce /æ/, your tongue should be lower than when you pronounce /ɛ/.
These are both front vowels. However, /æ/ is a low, tense vowel and /ɛ/ is a mid, lax vowel. When you pronounce /æ/, your tongue should be lower than when you pronounce /ɛ/.
You can hear the difference between /æ/ and /ɛ/ in these words.
| compare_ae-e_words.mp3 |
1. A. bag, B. beg
2. A. fad, B. fed
3. A. past, B. pest
4. A. jam, B. gem
5. A. batter, B. better
6. A. expand, B. expend
2. A. fad, B. fed
3. A. past, B. pest
4. A. jam, B. gem
5. A. batter, B. better
6. A. expand, B. expend
Now, compare /æ/ with /ɑ/:
| compare_ae-a_1.mp3 |
/æ/…/ɑ/…/æ/…/ɑ/…/æ/…/ɑ/…
These are both low, tense vowels. However, /æ/ is a front vowel, and /ɑ/ is a central vowel. When you pronounce /æ/, your tongue should be near the front of your mouth and your lips should be spread wide.
These are both low, tense vowels. However, /æ/ is a front vowel, and /ɑ/ is a central vowel. When you pronounce /æ/, your tongue should be near the front of your mouth and your lips should be spread wide.
You can hear the difference between /æ/ and /ɑ/ in these words.
| compare_ae-a_words.mp3 |
1. A. sack, B. sock
2. A. cap, B. cop
3. A. math, B. moth
4. A. band, B. bond
5. A. jab, B. job
6. A. lagged, B. logged
2. A. cap, B. cop
3. A. math, B. moth
4. A. band, B. bond
5. A. jab, B. job
6. A. lagged, B. logged
PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
| words_with_-ae-.mp3 |
|
1. sat
2. cap 3. bag 4. pack 5. crash 6. path 7. have 8. match 9. pal 10. strand |
11. grasp
12. passion 13. nasty 14. translate 15. challenge 16. capital 17. example 18. attitude 19. attachment 20. collaborate |
Now, practice /æ/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
| sentences_with_-ae-.mp3 |
1. had - bad - accident - Saturday
She had a bad accident on Saturday
2. saxophone - jazz - band
He plays saxophone for a jazz band
3. family - travel - California
My family is travelling to California.
4. absent - class - last
You were absent from class last week.
5. example - bad - habit
Can you give me an example of a bad habit?
6. haven't - had - chance - answer
I haven't had a chance to answer your e-mail.
She had a bad accident on Saturday
2. saxophone - jazz - band
He plays saxophone for a jazz band
3. family - travel - California
My family is travelling to California.
4. absent - class - last
You were absent from class last week.
5. example - bad - habit
Can you give me an example of a bad habit?
6. haven't - had - chance - answer
I haven't had a chance to answer your e-mail.
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:
