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LISTEN |
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/h/.../h/.../h/.../h/...
help...hand...ahead...reheat |
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WHAT IS IT? |
Pronunciation:
The sound /h/ is a voiceless, glottal, fricative consonant:
Spelling:
Note: The letter "h" is the most common spelling of /h/. However, the letter "h" can also be silent (as in "hour") or can combine with another letter to indicate another sound. (For example, "sh" = /ʃ/, "th" = /θ/ or /ð/)
Grammar Tip:
The sound /h/ is in several English pronouns:
The sound /h/ is a voiceless, glottal, fricative consonant:
- Your tongue doesn't need to touch any part of your mouth
- Breathe out sharply. A short burst of air should come out of your mouth, leading into the next sound.
- Your vocal cords should not vibrate.
Spelling:
- /h/ - help, ahead
- /wh/ - who, whole
Note: The letter "h" is the most common spelling of /h/. However, the letter "h" can also be silent (as in "hour") or can combine with another letter to indicate another sound. (For example, "sh" = /ʃ/, "th" = /θ/ or /ð/)
Grammar Tip:
The sound /h/ is in several English pronouns:
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In informal American English speech, it is common to drop the /h/ from these pronouns. Listen to the difference:
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1. Formal: I met her.
2. Formal. Where did he go? 3. Formal: He forgot his bag. |
Informal: I met 'er.
Informal: Where did 'e go? Informal: 'E forgot 'is bag. |
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COMPARE |
Compare /h/ with /k/:
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/h/.../k/.../h/.../k/.../h/.../k/...
These are both voiceless consonants pronounced in the back of the mouth. However, /h/ is a glottal fricative and /k/ is a velar stop . The sound /k/ is pronounced with the back of your tongue, while /h/ is pronounced with the glottis, which is behind your tongue. |
You can hear the difference between /h/ and /k/ in these words.
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1. A. height, B. kite
2. A. hill, B. kill 3. A. hand, B. canned 4. A. how, B. cow 5. A. heap, B. keep 6. A. hole, B. coal |
Practice recognizing words with /h/ and /k/ by taking the quiz below.
Now, compare /h/ and /w/:
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/h/.../w/.../h/.../w/.../h/.../w/...
These are both consonants without friction - no part of your tongue should touch a part of your mouth. However, /h/ is a voiceless glottal fricative and /w/ is a voiced labio-velar approximant. When you pronounce /h/, your lips should be in a neutral, unrounded position, but when you start to pronounce /w/, your lips should be round. |
You can hear the difference between /h/ and /w/ in these words.
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1. A. high, B. why
2. A. hot, B. watt 3. A. who, B. woo 4. A. hitch, B. which 5. A. hair, B. wear 6. A. hurry, B. worry |
Practice recognizing words with /h/ and /w/ by taking the quiz below.
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PRACTICE |
Listen and repeat these words:

words_with_-h-.mp3 | |
File Size: | 648 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
1. height
2. hall 3. home 4. help 5. heater 6. hurry 7. history 8. whole 9. who 10. humor |
11. hurry
12. perhaps 13. behavior 14. ahead 15. behind 16. reheat 17. abhor 18. unhelpful 19. uphill 20. homogenous . |
Now, practice /h/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
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1. hear - him - help
Did you hear him ask for help? 2. have - hurry - home We have to hurry home. 3. house - behind - hill My house is just behind that hill. 4. he - hurt - himself - hockey He hurt himself by playing hockey. 5. hope - happy - how I hope you're happy with how your English is improving. 6. perhaps - husband - her Perhaps her husband is with her. |
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:
If you see a homeless man on the street, and he asks for help, what will you do?
Record:
In your recording, explain how you think people should respond to a homeless person, and why.
©2018-2021, Christine Wingate
Prepare:
If you see a homeless man on the street, and he asks for help, what will you do?
- Hide your wallet
- Help him find housing
- Hand him money
- Ask him how he became homeless
- Hear his story
- Call for help
- Have lunch with him
Record:
In your recording, explain how you think people should respond to a homeless person, and why.
©2018-2021, Christine Wingate

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