Spelling:
- "w" - win, switch
- "wh" - white, when
- "u" - quit, persuade
LISTEN
The sound /w/ is in these clusters:
-
Beginning of a Syllable
| w_initial_clusters.mp3 |
/kw/ ("qu") - quick
/sw/ ("sw") - switch
/tw/ ("tw") - twice
/dw/ ("dw") - dwell
/skw/ ("squ") - square
/sw/ ("sw") - switch
/tw/ ("tw") - twice
/dw/ ("dw") - dwell
/skw/ ("squ") - square
-
End of a Syllable
(none)
| grammar_-w-_1.mp3 |
Grammar Tip:
Most "wh-" question words in English begin with /w/:
Most "wh-" question words in English begin with /w/:
- When
- Where
- Why
- Which
COMPARE
Compare /w/ with /v/:
| compare_w-v_1.mp3 |
/w/.../v/.../w../v/.../w/.../v/...
Both /v/ and /w/ are voiced consonants that involve lip movement. However, /v/ is a voiced labiodental consonant, and /w/ is a bilabial glide. When you pronounce /w/, your lips should form a circle and move to an open position, without touching your teeth. However, when you pronounce /v/, your upper lip should rub against your lower teeth.
Both /v/ and /w/ are voiced consonants that involve lip movement. However, /v/ is a voiced labiodental consonant, and /w/ is a bilabial glide. When you pronounce /w/, your lips should form a circle and move to an open position, without touching your teeth. However, when you pronounce /v/, your upper lip should rub against your lower teeth.
You can hear the difference between /w/ and /v/ in these words.
| compare_w-v_words.mp3 |
1. A. wet, B. vet
2. A. went, B. vent
3. A. wine, B. vine
4. A. west, B. vest
5. A. wheel, B. veal
6. A. wary, B. very
2. A. went, B. vent
3. A. wine, B. vine
4. A. west, B. vest
5. A. wheel, B. veal
6. A. wary, B. very
Now, compare /w/ with /b/:
| compare_w-b_1.mp3 |
/w/.../b/.../w/.../b/.../w/.../b/...
These are both voiced bilabial consonants. However, /w/ is a glide and /b/ is a stop. When you pronounce /w/, your lips should not touch each other and the air in your mouth should not stop.
These are both voiced bilabial consonants. However, /w/ is a glide and /b/ is a stop. When you pronounce /w/, your lips should not touch each other and the air in your mouth should not stop.
You can hear the difference between /w/ and /b/ in these words.
| compare_w-b_words.mp3 |
1. A. wed, B. bed
2. A. white, B. bite
3. A. what, B. but
4. A. await, B. abate
5. A. rewind, B. rebind
6. A. wobble, B. bauble
2. A. white, B. bite
3. A. what, B. but
4. A. await, B. abate
5. A. rewind, B. rebind
6. A. wobble, B. bauble
PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
| words_with_-w-.mp3 |
|
1. what
2. way 3. win 4. word 5. switch 6. twice 7. dwell 8. queen 9. weather 10. whisper |
11. waterfall
12. away 13. unwise 14. rewind 15. between 16. require 17. unswerving 18. underwater 19. aware 20. westward |
Now, practice /w/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
| sentences_with_-w-.mp3 |
1. weather - will - wet
The weather will be very wet tomorrow.
2. what - want - watch
What do you want to watch this evening?
3. working - whisper - quietly
Other people are working, so please whisper quietly.
4. quick - walk - between
I often take a quick walk between classes.
5. sweater - will - warm - winter
A sweater will keep you warm in winter.
6. were - aware - requirements
Were you aware of the requirements?
The weather will be very wet tomorrow.
2. what - want - watch
What do you want to watch this evening?
3. working - whisper - quietly
Other people are working, so please whisper quietly.
4. quick - walk - between
I often take a quick walk between classes.
5. sweater - will - warm - winter
A sweater will keep you warm in winter.
6. were - aware - requirements
Were you aware of the requirements?
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