LISTEN
listen_to_-sh-.mp3
File Size: 243 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/ʃ/…/ʃ/…/ʃ/…/ʃ/…

push…show...shrimp…pressure

WHAT IS IT?
Pronunciation:
The sound /ʃ/ is a voiced, alveo-palatal, fricative consonant. 
  • Lightly press the middle of your tongue between your alveolar ridge and your soft palate. The sides of your tongue should lightly touch your back upper teeth.
  • Breathe out and allow air to flow past your tongue.
  • Your vocal cords should not vibrate.
 
The sound /ʃ/ can be in these consonant clusters:​
  • ​​Beginning of a Syllable
  • ​​End of a Syllable
<
>
​/ʃr/ (“shr”) - shrink
/rʃ/ (“rsh”) - harsh
/lʃ/ (“lsh”) - Welsh
/ʃt/  (“shed”) - finished

Spelling:
  • “sh” – shoe, push
  • “ss” (+ “u” or “I”) – pressure, mission
  • “ch” – champagne, machine
  • “ti” – patience, station
  • “ce” (not common)– ocean, groceries 
  • “s” (not common) – sugar, sure ​

​Grammar Tip:
The sound /ʃ/ is present in the suffixes –tion and -ssion. These suffixes may turn a verb into a noun if the verb ends in /t/ or /s/.
grammar_-sh-.mp3
File Size: 586 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
  • create --> creation
  • direct --> direction
  • educate --> education
  • express --> expression
  • discuss --> discussion

COMPARE
Compare /ʃ/ and /s/:
compare_sh-s_1.mp3
File Size: 123 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/ʃ/…/s/…/ʃ/…/s/…/ʃ/…/s/…

These are both voiceless fricative consonants pronounced near the alveolar ridge. However, /ʃ/ is an alveo-palatal fricative and /s/ is an alveolar fricative. When you pronounce /s/, your tongue is slightly farther forward than when you pronounce /ʃ/.
​
Listen to words with /ʃ/ and /s/, and identify which word you hear. Choose A or B. You will hear the word twice, followed by the answer.
compare_sh-s_2_check_5.mp3
File Size: 558 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. A. shine, B. sign
2. A. shame, B. same
3. A. plush, B. plus
4. A. cashed, B. cast
​5. A. meshing, B. messing ​

Now compare /ʃ/ and /tʃ/:
compare_sh-ch_1.mp3
File Size: 122 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/ʃ/…/tʃ/…/ʃ/…/tʃ/…/ʃ/…/tʃ/…

These are both voiceless alveo-palatal consonants. However, /tʃ/ is an affricate while /ʃ/ is a fricative. When you pronounce /tʃ/, the air in your mouth should stop (like a /t/) before it is released (like a /ʃ/).

​Listen to words with /ʃ/ and /tʃ/, and identify which word you hear. Choose A or B. You will hear the word twice, followed by the answer.
compare_sh-ch_2.mp3
File Size: 539 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. A. sheep, B. cheap
2. A. share, B. chair
3. A. bash, B. batch
4. A. Porsche, B. porch
5. A. dishes, B. ditches​

PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
words_with_-sh-.mp3
File Size: 522 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. shape
2. shine
3. shell
4. shabby
5. shrimp
6. shrewd
7. brush
8. cash
9. fish
10. harsh
11. rushed
12. publish
13. foolish
14. ocean
15. machine
16. portion
17. mention
18. addiction
19. assumption
20. sensation

Now, practice /ʃ/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.​
sentences_with_-sh-.mp3
File Size: 1101 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
​1. technicians – rushed - machine
The technicians rushed to repair the machine.
2. she – groceries* – cash
She paid for the groceries with cash.
3. essential – share – information
It’s essential that we share this information with the public
4. invitation – mention – location
The invitation didn’t mention the location of the party.
5. chef – selection – dishes
The chef prepared a selection of dishes for us to try.
6. wash – shampoo – conditioner
​I always wash my hair with shampoo and conditioner

(*In some varieties of American English, "groceries" may be pronounced with /s/.)

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:
What do you think you can gain (or what have you gained) from a college education? Look at this list and choose the 3 things that are most important to you.​
  • Professional knowledge and skills
  • The ability to question your own assumptions about the world
  • The ability to see connections between ideas, cultures, and disciplines
  • ​Strategies for managing your emotions
  • Information about career development
  • Strategies for financial planning
  • Long-lasting relationships
  • Excellent communication skills​
  • Professional knowledge and skills
  • The ability to question your own assumptions about the world
  • The ability to see connections between ideas, cultures, and disciplines​
  • ​Strategies for managing your emotions
  • Information about career development
  • Strategies for financial planning
  • Long-lasting relationships
  • Excellent communication skills​

Record:
​​In your recording, explain why these 3 things are important and how you can gain them from a college education.

​© 2018, Christine Wingate