Distinctive features

p b t d k g f v θ ð s z ʃ ʒ h m n ŋ l r w j

[sonorant] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – + + + + + + +
[continuant – – – – – – + + + + + + + + + – – – + + + +
]
[strident] + + – – + + + + –
[nasal] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – + + + – – – –
[lateral] + –
Place L L C C D D L L C C C C C C G L C D C C L C
[anterior] + + + + + + – – + + + –
[voice] – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + + + + + + +
Table 1. Distinctive feature matrix for English consonants
Remarks
1. The affricates /ʧ/ and /ʤ/ are not included. Affricates have the feature
specifications [−cont, +cont].
2. Abbreviations used: L = LABIAL; C = CORONAL; D = DORSAL; G = GUTTURAL.
3. Features which are not necessary for making phonemic distinctions in English are
not included.

ɪ i: ε æ ə ɜ: ʌ ʊ u: ɔ: ɒ ɑ:

[high] + + – – – – – + + – – –
[low] – – – + – – + – – – – +
Place C C C C D D D D D D D D
L L L L
[ATR] – + – – – + – – + + – +
Table 2. Distinctive feature matrix for English vowels

Remarks
1. Abbreviations used: L = LABIAL; C = CORONAL; D = DORSAL.
2. Features which are not necessary for making phonemic distinctions in English are
not included.