LISTEN
/g/.../g/.../g/.../g/...

gas...green...dog...ugly

WHAT IS IT?
The sound /g/ is a voiced, velar, stop consonant. ​
  • Touch your soft palate (the soft part of the roof of your mouth) with the back of your tongue.
  • Move your tongue sharply downward and let air out in a short burst.
  • Your vocal cords should vibrate.

The sound /g/ can be in these consonant clusters:​
  • Beginning of a Syllable
  • End of a Syllable
<
>
/gl/ - glass
/gr/ - gr​ow
/gd/ ("gged") - hugged
/gz/ ("gs", "gues", "x") - dogs, rogues, ex​ample
Spelling:
  • "g" - grow, dog
  • "gg" - bigger, luggage
  • "gu" - guest, guess
  • "gue"  - vague​, rogue

COMPARE
Compare /g/ with /k/:
compare_g-k_1.mp3
File Size: 107 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/g/.../k/.../g/.../k/.../g/.../k/...

These are both velar, stop consonants. However, /g/ is a voiced consonant while /k/ is a voiceless consonant. When you pronounce /g/, your vocal cords should ​vibrate.

​​​Listen to words with /g/ and /k/, and identify which word you hear. Choose A or B. You will hear the word twice, followed by the answer.​
compare_g-k_2.mp3
File Size: 558 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. ​A. game, B. came
2. A. glue, B. clue
3. A. grow, B. crow
4. A. log, B. lack
​5. A. pig, B. pick

Now, compare /g/ and /ŋ/:
compare_g-ng_1.mp3
File Size: 115 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/g/.../ŋ/.../g/.../ŋ/.../g/.../ŋ/...

These are both voiced, velar consonants. However, /ŋ/ is a nasal while /g/ is a stop. When you pronounce /g/, air should stop in your mouth and then be released.

Listen to words with /g/ and /ŋ/, and identify which word you hear. Choose A or B. You will hear the word twice, followed by the answer
compare_g-ng_2.mp3
File Size: 512 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. A. wig, B. wing
2. A. sag, B. sang
3. A. lug, B. lung
4. A. tugs, B. tongues
​5. A. straggle, B. strang​le

PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
words_wtih_-g-.mp3
File Size: 575 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. guess
2. gain
3. gecko
4. glass
5. glow
6. green
7. beg​
8. vague
9. hugged
10. logs
11. again
12. argue
13. agree
14. ugly
15. ungrateful
16. struggle
​17. finger
18. organize
19. example
20. agriculture​  

Now, practice /g/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
sentences_with_-g-.mp3
File Size: 1149 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
​1. get - good - grades
How can I get good grades?
2. grab - glasses - guests
Please grab two glasses for our guests.
3. going - great - goal
Going to college is a great goal.
4. grandma - gave - gloves
My grandma gave me her gloves.
5. angry - ignored - again
I'm angry that you ignored me again.
6. burglar - mugged - grocery
A burglar mugged me when I left the grocery store.

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 goals do you have for this year? Choose from the list below.
  • Stay organized
  • Get a dog
  • Find a bigger house or apartment
  • ​Get good grades
  • Grow food in a garden
  • Be grateful​​
  • Ignore rude people
  • Overcome anxiety​
  • Pass a big exam
  • Have good study habits
  • Stop being single
  • Avoid anger
  • Get along with family
  • Feel glad about life
  • Grow closer to someone
  • Improve your language skills
  • Give money to a charity that fights hunger​
  • Stay organized
  • Get a dog
  • Find a bigger house or apartment
  • ​Get good grades
  • Grow food in a garden
  • Be grateful​​
  • Ignore rude people
  • Overcome anxiety​
  • Pass a big exam​
  • Have good study habits
  • Stop being single
  • Avoid anger
  • Get along with family
  • Feel glad about life
  • Grow closer to someone
  • Improve your language skills
  • Give money to a charity that fights hunger​

Record:
In your recording, describe 3 goals you chose for this year. Explain what you will do to achieve each goal.

© 2018, Christine Wingate