Minimal Pair List Consonants /Ɵ/ versus /ð/, 11 pairs
Both sounds are spelled with <th>, though the /ð/ sound is also spelled <the>. In the case of the homograph mouth the verb ends in a voiced sound but with no change in spelling.
These are two dental fricatives distinguished only by voicing. Since the sounds do not occur or are not phonemically contrasted in many languages, they are a problem for learners separately and in contrast. Luckily both sounds are fairly rare in the dictionary and there are so few minimal pairs that mistakes scarcely matter.
The mean density value is 1%. The list makes 8 semantic distinctions, a loading of 73%.
thigh thy loth loathe mouth mouth mouths mouths wreath wreathe wreaths wreathes sheath sheathe sheaths sheathes sooth soothe teeth teethe with withe
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