LISTEN
listen_to_-er-.mp3
File Size: 274 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/ɜr/.../ɜr/.../ɜr/.../ɜr/...

church...nurse...learn...bur​den

WHAT IS IT?
Pronunciation:
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
Note: Most of these spellings may also represent other vowels followed by /r/.

COMPARE
Compare /ɜr/ with /ʌ/:
compare_er-uh_1.mp3
File Size: 128 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/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.
compare_er-uh_words.mp3
File Size: 170 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. A. lurk, B. luck​
2. A. search, B. such
3. A. bird, B. bud
4. A. fern, B. fun
5. A. murder, B. mutter
6. A. sermon, B. summon

​Practice recognizing words with /ɜr/ and /ʌ/ by taking the quiz below.

​Now compare /ɜr/ with /ɑ/:
compare_er-a_1.mp3
File Size: 120 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/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.
compare_er-a_words.mp3
File Size: 196 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
2. A. curb, B. cob
1. 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.

PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
words_with_-er-.mp3
File Size: 645 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. stir
2. purse
3. church
4. surf
5. learn
6. curb
7. perk
8. birth
9. purpose
10. resear​ch
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.
sentences_with_-er-.mp3
File Size: 1135 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
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 - mer​ge
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:

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?​​
  • 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
  • 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