LISTEN
b_listen.mp3
File Size: 242 kb
File Type: mp3
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/b/…/b/…/b/…/b/…

buy…brain…lab…table...

WHAT IS IT?
​Pronunciation:
The sound /b/ is a voiced, bilabial, stop consonant.
  • Press your lips together.
  • Forcefully pull your lips apart while pushing air out in a short burst.
  • Your vocal cords should vibrate.

The sound /b/ can be in these clusters:​
  • ​Beginning of a Syllable
  • ​End of a Syllable
<
>
/bl/ - blue
/br/ - break
​/lb/ - bulb
/rb/ - curb
/bz/ (“bs”) - cabs
/lbz/ (“lbs”) - bulbs
/rbz/ (“rbs”) - curbs
/bd/ (“bed” / "bbed") - cubed, rubbed
/rbd/ (“rbed”) - barbed

​Spelling:
  • “b”  – break, lab
  • “be” - robe, tu​be
  • “bb” – bubble, robbing

COMPARE
Compare /b/ with /v/:
compare_b-v_1.mp3
File Size: 132 kb
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/b/…/v/…/b/…/v/…/b/…/v/…

These are both voiced consonants that are pronounced using the lips. However, /b/ is a bilabial stop and /v/ is a labio-dental fricative. When you pronounce /b/, your teeth should not touch your lips and the air in your mouth should be stopped.

You can hear the difference between /b/ and /v/ in these words.
compare_b-v_words.mp3
File Size: 148 kb
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1. A. boat, B. vote
2. A. bury, B. very
3. A. dub, B. dove
4. A. curb, B. curve
​5. A. lobes, B. loaves
​6. A. rebel, B. revel

Practice recognizing words with /b/ and /v/ by taking the quiz below.

Now, compare /b/ with /m/:
compare_b-m_1.mp3
File Size: 114 kb
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/b/…/m/…/b/…/m/…/b/…/m/…

These are both voiced bilabial consonants. However, /b/ is a stop and /m/ is a nasal. When you pronounce /b/, air should come through your mouth but not your nose.

You can hear the difference between /b/ and /m/ in these words.
compare_b-m_words.mp3
File Size: 153 kb
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1. A. bake, B. make
2. A. bug, B. mug
3. A. sub, B. sum
​4. A. robes, B. roams
5. A. chubby, B. chummy
6. A. unbarred, B. unmarred

Practice recognizing words with /b/ and /m/ by taking the quiz below.

PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
words_with_-b-.mp3
File Size: 675 kb
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1. best
2. burn
3. busy
4. brain
5. blow
6. broom
7. bless
8. bottle
9. cab
10. rob
​11. curb
12. bulb
13. about
14. mobile
15. stability
16. subtitle
17. bubble
18. abbreviate
19. barbecue
20. substitute

Now, practice /b/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
sentences_with_-b-.mp3
File Size: 1047 kb
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1. bottles – bin  - curb 
Put your used bottles in the bin on the curb.
2. bring – ribs – barbecue
We’ll bring a package of ribs to the barbecue.
3. blow – bubbles – beverage
Don’t blow bubbles in your beverage.
4. public – believed – bad
The public believed the bad report.
5. brother – burned – bulb 
My brother replaced the burned-out lightbulb.
​6. big – blue – suburbs
​I live in a big blue house in the suburbs.

​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:
Which behaviors should be banned in public places (like restaurants, stores, and movie theaters)?​​
  • Feeding a baby
  • Singing “Happy Birthday”
  • Starting a debate with a stranger
  • Using a business’s bathroom without buying something
  • Biting your nails
  • Blowing your nose
  • Being noisy
  • Bringing a pet​
  • Kissing a boyfriend or girlfriend
  • Feeding a baby
  • Singing “Happy Birthday”
  • Starting a debate with a stranger
  • Using a business’s bathroom without buying something​
  • Biting your nails
  • Blowing your nose
  • Being noisy
  • Bringing a pet​
  • Kissing a boyfriend or girlfriend

​Record:
​Choose at least 3 of these behaviors. In your recording, explain why they should or should not be banned in public places.

​© 2018, Christine Wingate