/g/

LISTEN

/g/…/g/…/g/…/g/

gas…green…dog…ugly

WHAT IS IT?

The sound /g/ is a voiced, velar, stop consonant. ​

  • Touch your soft palate (the soft part of the roof of your mouth) with the back of your tongue.
  • Move your tongue sharply downward and let air out in a short burst.
  • Your vocal cords should vibrate.

The sound /g/ can be in these consonant clusters:

BEGINNING OF A SYLLABLE

/gl/ (“gl”) – glass
/gr/ (“gr’) – gr​ow

END OF A SYLLABLE

/gd/ (“gged”) – hugged
/gz/ (“gs” / “gues” / “x”) – dogs, rogues, ex​ample

Spelling:

  • “g” – grow, dog
  • “gg” – bigger, luggage
  • “gu” – guest, guess
  • “gue”  – vague​, rogue

COMPARE

Compare /g/ with /k/:

/g/…/k/…/g/…/k/…/g/…/k/

These are both velar, stop consonants. However, /g/ is a voiced consonant while /k/ is a voiceless consonant. When you pronounce /g/, your vocal cords should ​vibrate.

You can hear the difference between /g/ and /k/ in these words.

1. ​A. game, B. came
2. A. grow, B. crow
3. A. glue, B. clue
4. A. log, B. lack
5. A. tag, B. tack
6. A. anger, B. anch​or

Practice recognizing words with /g/ and /k/ by taking the quiz here (external site).

Now, compare /g/ and /ŋ/:

/g/…/ŋ/…/g/…/ŋ/…/g/…/ŋ/

These are both voiced, velar consonants. However, /ŋ/ is a nasal while /g/ is a stop. When you pronounce /g/, air should stop in your mouth and then be released.

You can hear the difference between /g/ and /ŋ/ in these words.

1. A. wig, B. wing
2. A. sag, B. sang
3. A. lug, B. lung
4. A. tugs, B. tongues
​5. A. logged, B. l​onged
​6. A. straggle, B. strang​le

​Practice recognizing words with /g/ and /ŋ/ by taking the quiz here (external site).

PRACTICE

Listen and repeat these words:

1. guess
2. gain
3. gecko
4. glass
5. glow
6. green
7. beg​
8. vague
9. hugged
10. logs

11. again
12. argue
13. agree
14. ugly
15. ungrateful
16. struggle
​17. finger
18. organize
19. example
20. agriculture

Now, practice /g/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.

​1. get – good – grades
How can I get good grades?
2. grab – glasses – guests
Please grab two glasses for our guests.
3. going – great – goal
Going to college is a great goal.
4. grandma – gave – gloves
My grandma gave me her gloves.
5. angry – ignored – again
I’m angry that you ignored me again.
6. burglar – mugged – grocery
A burglar mugged me when I left the grocery store.

To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:

Male – US Midwest (St. Louis)

Male – US Midwest (Iowa)

Male – US Midwest

Female – US Northeast

Female – US Southeast

USE IT

Practice the task below. Then, record yourself completing that task. Give your recording to a teacher or an English-speaking friend for feedback.

​Prepare:
What goals do you have for this year? Choose from the list below.

  • Stay organized
  • Get a dog
  • Find a bigger house or apartment
  • ​Get good grades
  • Grow food in a garden
  • Be grateful​​
  • Ignore grumpy people
  • Overcome anxiety​
  • Pass a big exam
  • Have good study habits
  • Avoid being single
  • Avoid anger
  • Get along with family
  • Feel glad about life
  • Grow closer to someone
  • Improve your language skills
  • Give money to an organization that tries to prevent hunger

Record:
In your recording, describe 3 goals you chose for this year. Explain what you will do to achieve each goal.

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