Pronunciation: Vowel Pairs



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Many students have troubles in distinguishing the difference between vowels. The pronunciation depends on the position
of the stressed vowel in the word. However, one should remember that there are many exceptions from the rule.
The following pairs might help overcome the problem.
  short sound 'open' sound     short sound

'open' sound

    short sound

'open' sound

1.

Man

Mane

10.

Hell

Heel

19.

Poll

Pole

2.

Plan

Plane

11.

Fin

Fine

20.

Not

Note

3.

Mat

Mate

12.

Pin

Pine

21.

Doll

Dole

4.

Fat

Fate

13. Fill File

22.

Tub

Tube

5.

Pal

Pale

14.

Bit

Bite

23.

Cut

Cute

6.

Pet

Pete

15.

Sit

Site

24.

Fuss

Fuse

7.

The

Thee

16. Tip Type

25.

Cub

Cube

8.

Fell

Feel

17.

Hop Hope 26. Hug Huge

9.

Met

Meet

18.

Rod Rode