Sentences with Mininal Pairs
Carefully read the following sentences that contain minimal pairs. Make the difference in vowel quality that is required to state the difference in meaning.
| /iy/ vs. /ı/ |
| 1. He heats the frying pan. |
| 2. He hits the frying pan. |
| |
| /ɛ/ vs. /ey/ |
| 3. It’s the edge. |
| 4. It’s the age. |
| |
| /ɛ/ vs. /ı/ |
| 5. Where’s the bell? |
| 6. Where’s the bill? |
| |
| /ɛ/ vs. /æ/ |
| 7. The men came to the trial. |
| 8. The man came to the trial. |
| |
| /a/ vs. /æ/ |
| 9. I’ve got a new cot. |
| 10. I’ve got a new cat. |
| |
| /a/ vs. /ɛ/ |
| 11. I bought a pot in the market. |
| 12. I bought a pet in the market. |
| |
| /ʌ/ vs. /æ/ |
| 13. Did you see my uncle? |
| 14. Did you see my ankle? |
| |
| /ʌ/ vs. /ɛ/ |
| 15. It’s a great bunch. |
| 16. It’s a great bench. |
| |
| /ʌ/ vs. /a/ |
| 17. Ken found a nut in the box. |
| 18. Ken found a knot in the box. |
| |
| /a/ vs. /ʌ/ |
| 19. It’s a big farm. |
| 20. It’s a big firm. |
| |
| /ɔ/ vs. /ʌ/ |
| 21. I have a cough. |
| 22. I have a cuff. |
| |
| /ɔ/ vs. /a/ |
| 23. He has gotten the cord. |
| 24. He has gotten the card. |
