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LISTEN |
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/ɜr/.../ɜr/.../ɜr/.../ɜr/...
church...nurse...learn...burden |
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WHAT IS IT? |
Pronunciation:
The sound /ɜr/ is a high, central, lax vowel.
Spelling:
The sound /ɜr/ is a high, central, lax vowel.
- Raise your tongue so that the sides of your tongue press against your upper teeth.
- Curl the tip of your tongue backwards slightly.
- Spread your lips slightly.
- Breathe out and let air flow out of your mouth.
Spelling:
- "er" - her, certain
- "ear" - learn, heard
- "ur" - burn, surface
- "ir" - bird, dirty
- "or" - word, worthy
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COMPARE |
Compare /ɜr/ with /ʌ/:
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/ɜr/.../ʌ/.../ɜr/.../ʌ/.../ɜr/.../ʌ/...
These are both central, lax vowels. However, /ɜr/ is a high vowel and /ʌ/ is a mid vowel. The vowel /ɜr/ sounds like a blend of /ʌ/ and /r/. |
You can hear the difference between /ɜr/ and /ʌ/ in these words.
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1. A. bird, B. bud
2. A. search, B. such 3. A. fern, B. fun 4. A. lurk, B. luck 5. A. sermon, B. summon 6. A. murder, B. mutter |
Practice recognizing words with /ɜr/ and /ʌ/ by taking the quiz below.
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/ɜr/.../ɑ/.../ɜr/.../ɑ/.../ɜr/.../ɑ/...
These are both central vowels. However, /ɜr/ is a high vowel and /ɑ/ is a low vowel. When you pronounce /ɜr/, the sides of your tongue should lightly touch your upper teeth. |
You can hear the difference between /ɜr/ and /ɑ/ in these words.
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1. A. curb, B. cob
2. A. hurt, B. hot 3. A. clerk, B. clock 4. A. surfed, B. soft 5. A. earner, B. honor 6. A. gurgle, B. goggle |
Practice recognizing words with /ɜr/ and /ɑ/ by taking the quiz below.
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PRACTICE |
Listen and repeat these words:
words_with_-er-.mp3 | |
File Size: | 645 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
1. stir
2. purse 3. church 4. surf 5. learn 6. curb 7. perk 8. birth 9. purpose 10. research |
11. merge
12. dessert 13. burned 14. furnace 15. hurdle 16. courage 17. personal 18. certain 19. murder 20. furthermore |
Now, practice /ɜr/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
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1. return - curfew
You need to return before your curfew. 2. certain - weren't - burned Are you certain you weren't burned? 3. heard - learned - surf I heard that you learned to surf. 4. first - serve - dessert First we'll eat dinner, and then I'll serve dessert. 5. early - work - personal I got up early to work on a personal project. 6. further - merge Drive a little further, then merge into the next lane. |
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:
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:
Imagine you have to write a research paper for a class. What topic would you like to research?
Prepare:
Imagine you have to write a research paper for a class. What topic would you like to research?
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- Earthquakes
- Causes of murder
- Alternative medicine and herbal treatments
- Internet security
- The purpose of immigration laws
- Why teenagers need a curfew
- Online learning
- Alternative energy solutions
- World War II
- Effects of workplace diversity
- Why people might attend a church
- How search engines work
- The return of old fashions
- Current problems in global security
Record:
Imagine you need to tell your teacher 2 topics that you might want to research. In your recording, present the 2 topics you are most interested in, and explain why.
©2018-2021, Christine Wingate
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