LISTEN
listen_to_-iy-.mp3
File Size: 315 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/iy/.../iy/.../iy/.../iy/...

see...kee​p...dream...busy...

WHAT IS IT?
Pronunciation: 
The sound /iy/ is a high, front, tense ​vowel.
  • Lift your tongue to the top of your mouth.
  • Spread your lips wide, like a smile.
  • Tighten your tongue.
  • Breathe out to make the vowel.
​
stressed_-iy-.mp3
File Size: 137 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
This vowel is usually stressed, as in these words:
  • freezer
  • eastern
  • reason
  • percei​ve
unstressed_-iy-.mp3
File Size: 125 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
​However, /iy/ can also be unstressed. In an unstressed syllable, /iy/ is pronounced quickly and softly. This is most common at the end of a word.
  • lazy
  • ​very
  • quickly
  • windy

​Spelling:
  • “ee” – beef, week
  • “ea” – each, reason
  • “ie” – believe, chief
  • “ei” – receive, seize
  • “i” – ski, taxi
  • “y” (unstressed) – busy, lovely
 
Grammar Tip:
An unstressed /iy/ is part of some suffixes.  
grammar_-iy-_1.mp3
File Size: 120 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
​The suffix "-ly" is common in adverbs.
  • ​quickly
  • nicely​
  • readily
grammar_-iy-_2.mp3
File Size: 110 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
​The suffix “-y” is common in adjectives.
  • busy
  • pretty
  • ​ready

COMPARE
Compare /iy/ with /ɪ/:
compare_iy-i_1.mp3
File Size: 110 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
/iy/.../ɪ/.../iy/.../ɪ/.../iy/.../ɪ/...

​These are both high, front vowels. However, /ɪ/ is pronounced with a relaxed tongue and /iy/ is pronounced with a tightened tongue.

​You can hear the difference between /iy/ and /ɪ/ in these words.
compare_iy-i_words.mp3
File Size: 208 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. A. leased, B. list
2. A. read, B. rid
3. A. beat, B. bit
4. A. leave, B. live
​5. A. teen, B. tin
6. A. steal, B. still

Practice recognizing words with /iy/ and /ɪ/ by taking the quiz below. 

​​Now, compare /iy/ with /ey/:
compare_iy-ey_1.mp3
File Size: 112 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
​/iy/…/ey/…/iy/…/ey/…/iy/…/ey/…

These are both front, tense vowels. However, /iy/ is pronounced with a high tongue and /ey/ is pronounced with a mid tongue.
​
You can hear the difference between /iy/ and /ey/ in these words.
compare_iy-ey_words.mp3
File Size: 290 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. A. see, B. say
2. A. meek, B. make
3. A. bees, B. bays
4. A. veal, B. veil
5. A. peer, B. pair
6. A. leader, B. later

​Practice recognizing words with /iy/ and /ey/ by taking this quiz.

PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
words_with_-iy-.mp3
File Size: 546 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. feed
2. leak
3. meat
4. keep
5. peace
6. freeze
7. least
8. seats
9. dream
10. teen
11. feel
​12. dear
13. tiny
14. messy
15. easy
16. peanut
17. Easter
18. heated
19. medium
20. seemingly

​​​Now, practice /iy/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
sentences_with_-iy-.mp3
File Size: 1202 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
1. see – green – tree 
​Do you see the green tree?
2. he - seemed – mean – easy 
He seemed to mean it was too easy
3. very - pleased – meet
I’m very pleased to meet you.
4. happy – receive – pretty - tee-shirt
I was happy to receive a pretty tee-shirt.
5. eat – meat – Easter
They eat special meat for Easter.
6. sleep – dream – easily 
​When you sleep, do you dream easily?

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:
Think about what you do when you feel…​
  • Happy
  • Angry
  • Peaceful
  • Worried
  • Envious
  • Inferior
  • Fearful
  • Curious
  • Happy
  • Angry
  • Peaceful
  • Worried​
  • Envious
  • Inferior
  • Fearful
  • Curious

​​Record​:
​Choose 3 of these feelings. In your recording, describe what causes each feeling and how you respond to each feeling.

©2018-2021, Christine Wingate