Phonetic alphabet - examples of sounds
Share this
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a system where each symbol is associated with a particular English sound. By using IPA you can know exactly how to pronounce a certain word in English. This helps in improving English pronunciation and feeling more confident speaking in English, whether you learn English on you own or with a specialist teacher in an individual English Accent Training class. We also run online English courses in virtual groups, and immersion courses in London.
Here are examples of IPA use in common English words. You can practice various vowel and consonant sounds by pronouncing the words. This is one way how you can improve English pronunciation.
Download examples of IPA sounds (PDF)
International Phonetic Alphabet Sounds In Everyday Speech
Short Vowels
| IPA Symbol | Word examples |
| e | Went, intend, send, letter. |
| æ | Cat, hand, nap, flat, have. |
| ʌ | Fun, love, money, one, London, come. |
| ʊ | Put, look, should, cook, book, look. |
| ɒ | Rob, top, watch, squat, sausage. |
| ə | Alive, again, mother. |
Long Vowels
| IPA Symbol | Word examples |
| i: | Need, beat, team. |
| ɜ: | Nurse, heard, third, turn. |
| ɔ: | Talk, law, bored, yawn, jaw. |
| u: | Few, boot, lose, gloomy, fruit, chew. |
| ɑ: | Fast, car, hard, bath. |
Diphthong Vowels
| IPA Symbol | Word examples |
| ɪə | Near, ear, clear, tear, beer, fear |
| eə | Hair, there, care, stairs, pear |
| eɪ | Face, space, rain , case, eight |
| ɔɪ | Joy, employ, toy, coil, oyster. |
| aɪ | My, sight, pride, kind, flight |
| əʊ | No, don’t, stones, alone, hole |
| aʊ | Mouth, house, brown, cow, out |
Consonants Sounds: Fricatives
IPA Symbol | Word examples |
f | Full, Friday, fish, knife. |
v | Vest, village, view, cave. |
θ | Thought, think, Bath. |
ð | There, those, brothers, others. |
z | Zoo, crazy, lazy, zigzag, nose. |
ʃ | Shirt, rush, shop, cash. |
ʒ | Television, delusion, casual |
h | High, help, hello. |
Consonants Sounds: Plosives
| IPA Symbol | Word examples |
| p | Pin, cap, purpose, pause. |
| b | Bag, bubble, build, robe. |
| t | Time, train, tow, late. |
| d | Door, day, drive, down, feed. |
| k | Cash, quick, cricket, sock. |
| g | Girl, green, grass, flag. |
Consonants Sounds: Affricates
| IPA Symbol | Word examples |
| ʈʃ | Choose, cheese, church, watch. |
| dʒ | Joy, juggle, juice, stage. |
Consonants Sounds: Nasals
| IPA Symbol | Word examples |
| m | Room, mother, mad, more. |
| n | Now, nobody, knew, turn. |
| ŋ | King, thing, song, swimming. |
Improve your confidence in spoken English with our General English course or Individual English training in our centre in London or online.
Consonants Sounds: Approximants
| IPA Symbol | Word examples |
| r | Road, roses, river, ring, ride. |
| j | Yellow, usual, tune, yesterday, yard. |
| w | Wall, walk, wine, world. |
| l and ɫ | Law, lots, leap, long, pill, cold, chill, melt. |
International Phonetic Alphabet Explained
About The London School of English
The London School of English has over 100 years of history teaching English and communication skills to adult learners. It is the joint #1 English language school in the UK according to the British Council inspections, the highest rated English language school in the world on Trustpilot, and the best value for money school according The English Language Gazette.
Our practical, individualised approach enables our clients to learn effectively and make rapid progress. Courses include General English, Individual English training, Legal English, Business and Professional English, IELTS preparation and Academic English. We also offer bespoke business solutions for staff training and assessment.
You can learn English with our expert trainers in our London centre at 15 Holland Park Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, or you can choose to study English online in groups or in individual classes. Contact us online or via phone +44 (0) 207 605 4142.
Share this
Post your questions and comments:
