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 |
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|
1. |
Man |
Mane |
10. |
Hell |
Heel |
19. |
Poll |
Pole |
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|
2. |
Plan |
Plane |
11. |
Fin |
Fine |
20. |
Not |
Note |
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|
3. |
Mat |
Mate |
12. |
Pin |
Pine |
21. |
Doll |
Dole |
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|
4. |
Fat |
Fate |
13. | Fill | File |
22. |
Tub |
Tube |
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|
5. |
Pal |
Pale |
14. |
Bit |
Bite |
23. |
Cut |
Cute |
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|
6. |
Pet |
Pete |
15. |
Sit |
Site |
24. |
Fuss |
Fuse |
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|
7. |
The |
Thee |
16. | Tip | Type |
25. |
Cub |
Cube |
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|
8. |
Fell |
Feel |
17. |
Hop | Hope | 26. | Hug | Huge | ||
|
9. |
Met |
Meet |
18. |
Rod | Rode |