/ɛ/

LISTEN

/ɛ/…/ɛ/…/ɛ/…/ɛ/

pet…deck…tell,..lesson

WHAT IS IT?

Pronunciation:
The sound /ɛ/ is a mid, front, lax vowel.

  • Move your tongue towards the middle of your mouth.
  • Widen your lips
  • Let your tongue relax
  • Breathe out and let your vocal cords vibrate.

Spelling:

  • “e” – red, left
  • “ea” – breath, instead
  • “ai” – said, again
  • “a” – many, says
  • “ie” (not common) – friend
  • “ue” (not common) – guess, guest

COMPARE

Compare /ɛ/ with /ɪ/:

/ɛ/…/ɪ/…/ɛ/…/ɪ/…./ɛ/…/ɪ/

These are both front, lax vowels. However, /ɛ/ is a mid vowel and /ɪ/ is a high vowel.

You can hear the difference between /ɛ/ and /ɪ/ in these words.

1. A. head, B. hid
2. A. peg, B. pig
3. A. left, B. lift
4. A. many, B. mini
5. A. setting, B. sitting
6. A. bell, B. bill

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

​Now, compare /ɛ/ and /ey/:

/ɛ/…/ey/…/ɛ/…/ey/…/ɛ/…/ey/

These are both mid, front vowels. However, /ɛ/ is pronounced with a relaxed tongue, and /ey/ is pronounced with a tense ​tongue.

​You can hear the difference between /ɛ/ and /ey/ in these words.

1. A. shed, B. shade
2. A. tech, B. take
3. A. sell, B. sale
4. A. west, B. waste
5. A. teller, B. tailor
6. A. men, B. main

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

PRACTICE

Listen and repeat these words:

1. dead
2. less
3. beg
4. spell
5. left
6. end
7. effort
8. correct
9. yellow
10. pressure

11. better
12. welcome
13. confess
14. pleasant
15. forever
16. remember
17. elegant
18. ​adventure
​19. decorated
20. unsettled

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

1. well – better – bed
If you’re not feeling well, you had better go to bed.
2. envelope – send – letter
I need an envelope so I can send my letter.
3. ​correct – best – guess
If you don’t know the correct answer, make your best guess.
4. ​get – dressed – then – ready
I need to get dressed, and then I’ll be ready.
5. next – step – recipe
What is the next step in the recipe?
6. ever – read – best-selling
​Have you ever read a best-selling novel?

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:
Look at the list of characteristics below. Which words describe your best friend?

  • Sensitive
  • Friendly
  • Accepting
  • Non-judgmental
  • Flexible
  • Dependable
  • Adventurous
  • Pleasant
  • Empathetic (understanding your feelings)
  • Authentic (real, genuine)

Record:
​Choose the 3 qualities that are most important for a friend to have. In your recording, describe why these 3 qualities are important.

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