Note: A /p/ at the beginning of a word or syllable should be pronounced with a stronger burst of air than a /p/ at the end of a word or syllable (or in a consonant cluster). This is called aspiration.
Spelling:
- “p” – pie, tap
- ”pe” - grape, rope
- “pp” – apple, ripped
LISTEN
The sound /p/ can be in these consonant clusters:
-
Beginning of a Syllable
| p_initial_clusters.mp3 |
/pl/ ("pl)" - please
/pr/ ("pr") - pray
/sp/ ("sp") - spell
/spl/ ("spl") - split
/spr/ ("spr") - spring
/pr/ ("pr") - pray
/sp/ ("sp") - spell
/spl/ ("spl") - split
/spr/ ("spr") - spring
-
End of a Syllable
| p_final_clusters.mp3 |
/ps/ ("ps" / "pes" / "pes"/ "pps" / "ppes") - lips, hopes, apps, steppes
/pt/ ("pt" / “ped” / "pped") - slept, hoped, ripped
/mp/ ("mp") - lamp
/mps/ ("mps") - pumps
/mpt/ ('mpt" / “mped”) - prompt, pumped
/lp/ ("lp") - gulp
/pt/ ("pt" / “ped” / "pped") - slept, hoped, ripped
/mp/ ("mp") - lamp
/mps/ ("mps") - pumps
/mpt/ ('mpt" / “mped”) - prompt, pumped
/lp/ ("lp") - gulp
/lps/ ("lps") - yelps
/lpt/ (“lped”) - helped
/rp/ ("rp") - sharp
/rps/ ("rps") - harps
/rpt/ (“rped”) - warped
/sp/ ("sp") - rasp
/sps/ ("sps") - wasps
/spt/ (“sped”) - lisped
/lpt/ (“lped”) - helped
/rp/ ("rp") - sharp
/rps/ ("rps") - harps
/rpt/ (“rped”) - warped
/sp/ ("sp") - rasp
/sps/ ("sps") - wasps
/spt/ (“sped”) - lisped
| p_grammar1.mp3 |
Grammar Tip:
The sound /p/ is in the common prefix "pre-". This prefix usually means "before" and can be part of a noun or verb. The prefix is usually unstressed, but it can be stressed.
The sound /p/ is in the common prefix "pre-". This prefix usually means "before" and can be part of a noun or verb. The prefix is usually unstressed, but it can be stressed.
- predict
- prepay
- pretest
- precaution
| p_grammar2.mp3 |
The sound /p/ is also in the prefix "pro." This prefix can mean "for," "advance/forth," "forward/in front of" or "in place of."
- proclaim
- produce
- promote
- proportion
COMPARE
Compare /p/ and /b/:
| compare_p-b_1.mp3 |
/p/…/b/…/p/…/b/…/p/…/b/…
These are both bilabial stop consonants. However, /p/ is voiceless and /b/ is voiced. There is no aspiration after /b/ at the beginning of a word. At the end of a word, the vowel before /b/ will be longer than the vowel before /p/.
These are both bilabial stop consonants. However, /p/ is voiceless and /b/ is voiced. There is no aspiration after /b/ at the beginning of a word. At the end of a word, the vowel before /b/ will be longer than the vowel before /p/.
You can hear the difference between /p/ and /b/ in these words.
| compare_p-b_words.mp3 |
1. A. pie, B. buy
2. A. planned, B. bland
3. A. pride, B. bride
4. A. cup, B. cub
5. A. mops, B. mobs
6. A, staple, B. stable
2. A. planned, B. bland
3. A. pride, B. bride
4. A. cup, B. cub
5. A. mops, B. mobs
6. A, staple, B. stable
Now compare /p/ and /f/:
| compare_p-f.mp3 |
/p/…/f/…/p/…/f/…/p/…/f/…
These are both voiceless consonants that are pronounced using the lips. However, /p/ is a bilabial stop and /f/ is a labio-dental fricative. When you pronounce /p/, your teeth should not touch your lips and the air in your mouth should be stopped.
These are both voiceless consonants that are pronounced using the lips. However, /p/ is a bilabial stop and /f/ is a labio-dental fricative. When you pronounce /p/, your teeth should not touch your lips and the air in your mouth should be stopped.
You can hear the difference between /p/ and /f/ in these words.
| compare_p-f_words.mp3 |
1. A. pat, B. fat
2. A. plush, B. flush
3. A. praise, B. phrase
4. A. lap, B. laugh
5. A. gulps, B. gulfs
6. A. coffee, B. copy
2. A. plush, B. flush
3. A. praise, B. phrase
4. A. lap, B. laugh
5. A. gulps, B. gulfs
6. A. coffee, B. copy
PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
| words_with_-p-.mp3 |
|
1. past
2. pill 3. pray 4. please 5. spin 6. spring 7. wrap 8. lip 9. harp 10. grasp |
11. lamp
12. happy 13. apply 14. printer 15. complain 16. aspire 17. pedestrian 18. impossible 19. purpose 20. proportion |
Now, practice /p/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
| sentences_with_-p-.mp3 |
1. please – sweep – mop
Please sweep and mop the floor.
2. spring – plant – grapevines
In spring we will plant some grapevines.
3. employment – apply – position
Contact the employment agency to apply for a position.
4. purpose – project – provide
The purpose of this project is to provide new community resources.
5. public – harp – performance
We attended a public harp performance last night.
6. explain – company – procedures
Can you explain the company’s hiring procedures?
Please sweep and mop the floor.
2. spring – plant – grapevines
In spring we will plant some grapevines.
3. employment – apply – position
Contact the employment agency to apply for a position.
4. purpose – project – provide
The purpose of this project is to provide new community resources.
5. public – harp – performance
We attended a public harp performance last night.
6. explain – company – procedures
Can you explain the company’s hiring procedures?
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