LISTEN
listen_to_-e-.mp3
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/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/:
compare_e-i_1.mp3
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/ɛ/.../ɪ/.../ɛ/.../ɪ/..../ɛ/.../ɪ/....

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

​Listen to words with /ɛ/ and /ɪ/, and identify which word you hear. Choose A or B. You will hear the word twice, followed by the answer.
compare_e-i_2.mp3
File Size: 546 kb
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1. A. led, B. lid​
2. A. peg, B. pig
3. A. left, B. lift
4. A. setting, B. sitting
5. A. many, B. mini
Now, compare /ɛ/ and /ey/:
compare_e-ey_1.mp3
File Size: 117 kb
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/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. 

Listen to words with /ɛ/ and /ey/ and identify which word you hear. Choose A or B. You will hear the word twice, followed by the answer.​
compare_e-ey_2.mp3
File Size: 485 kb
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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

PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
words_with_-e-.mp3
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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.
sentences_with_-e-.mp3
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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:

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)​
  • 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 best friend to have. In your recording, describe why these 3 qualities are important.

​© 2018, Christine Wingate