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LISTEN |
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/ɔɪ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɔɪ/...
boy...voice...coin...destroy |
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WHAT IS IT? |
Pronunciation:
The sound /ɔɪ/ is a diphthong. This means your mouth should move from one position to another.
The sound /ɔɪ/ is a diphthong. This means your mouth should move from one position to another.
- Form a circle with your lips (as for /ɔ/), and pull your tongue backwards.
- Breathe out and let your vocal cords vibrate.
- As you do this, quickly pull your tongue forward and spread your lips widely (as for /ɪ/).
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This vowel is usually stressed, as in these words:
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However, /ɔɪ/ can be unstressed. In an unstressed syllable, /ɔɪ/ is pronounced quickly and softly.
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Spelling
- "oi" - noise, point
- "oy" - employ, oyster
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COMPARE |
Compare /ɔɪ/ with /ɑɪ/:
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/ɔɪ/.../ɑɪ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɑɪ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɑɪ/...
These are both diphthong vowels. However, /ɔɪ/ starts with your tongue pulled backwards with your lips forming a circle, and /ɑɪ/ starts with your tongue pulled downwards with your lips widened. . |
You can hear the difference between /ɔɪ/ and /ɑɪ/ in these words.
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1. A. boy, B. by
2. A. voice, B. vice 3. A. toys, B. ties 4. A. foil, B. file 5. A. point, B. pint 6. A. alloy, B, ally |
Practice recognizing words with /ɔɪ/ and /ɑɪ/ by taking the quiz below.
Now compare /ɔɪ/ and /ɔ/:
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/ɔɪ/.../ɔ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɔ/.../ɔɪ/.../ɔ/...
The sound /ɔ/ is a mid, back vowel. The sound /ɔɪ/ starts as /ɔ/ but it moves quickly into a high, front vowel. |
You can hear the difference between /ɔɪ/ and /ɔ/ in these words.
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1. A. joy, B. jaw
2. A. poise, B. pause 3. A. oil, B. all 4. A. loin, B. lawn 5. A. cloying, B. clawing 6. A. boiling, B. bawling |
Practice recognizing words with /ɔɪ/ and /ɔ/ by taking the quiz below.
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PRACTICE |
Listen and repeat these words:

words_with_-oi-.mp3 | |
File Size: | 631 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
1. boy
2. voice 3. soil 4. coin 5. point 6. annoy 7. noisy 8. avoid 9. oyster 10. poison |
11. exploit
12. enjoying 13. employee 14. boiler 15. alloy 16. viewpoint 17. moisture 18. toiletries 19. voyage 20. loyal |
Now, practice /ɔɪ/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences:
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1. boy - toys
The boy didn't put away all his toys. 2. annoyed - noisy I'm annoyed by our noisy neighbors. 3. enjoys - coins My uncle enjoys collecting old coins. 4. employees - joined The new employees joined us for lunch. 5. pointed - oysters My friend pointed out the shop that sells oysters. 6. avoid - oil Please avoid putting too much oil in the food. |
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:
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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 situations. Which situations annoy you the most?
Prepare:
Look at the list of situations. Which situations annoy you the most?
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Record:
In your recording, describe 3 situations that annoy you. Explain how you can avoid these situations.
©2018-2021, Christine Wingate
In your recording, describe 3 situations that annoy you. Explain how you can avoid these situations.
©2018-2021, Christine Wingate

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