Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Minimal Pairs
Minimal Pairs
A minimal pair is a pair of words that vary by only a single sound, usually meaning sounds
that may confuse English learners, like the /f/ and /v/ in fan and van, or the /e/ and /ɪ/ in desk
and disk
These pages use the symbols of the Phonemic Chart. You can listen to the symbols here or
print the chart here.
Vowel Sounds
Consonant Sounds
https://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/minimal-pairs.htm
Initial Consonant Sounds Final Consonant Sounds
Minimal Pairs initial /f/ and /p/ fast past Minimal Pairs final /k/ and /g/ back bag
Minimal Pairs initial /k/ and /g/ came game Minimal Pairs final /m/ and /n/ am an
Minimal Pairs initial /t/ and /d/ two do Minimal Pairs final /t/ and /d/ hat had