Classification of English consonants

Principle Types Subtypes Sounds

1. The type of obstruction a) occlusive a.1 - occlusive sonorants [m], [n], [ŋ]
b) constrictive a.2 - occlusive noise

b.1 - constrictive sonorants

b.2 - constrictive noise [f], [v], [s], [z], [h], [ʃ], [ʒ], [θ], [ð]

1.1 The manner of noise production c) occlusive noise c.1 - plosive consonants (stops) [p], [b], [t], [d], [k], [g]
c.2 - affricates [ʈʃ], [dʒ]

d) constrictive sonorants d.1 - lateral [l]

d.2 - medial [w], [r], [j]

2. The active organ of speech a) labial a.1 - bilabial [m], [p], [b], [w]
a.2 - labio-dental [f], [v]

b) lingual b.1 - forelingual

b.1.1 - apical [θ], [ð], [t], [d], [l], [n], [s], [z], [ʈʃ], [dʒ],
[ʃ], [ʒ]

b.1.2 - cacuminal [r]

b.2 - mediolingual [j]

b.3 - backlingual [k], [g], [ŋ]

c) glottal [h]
3. The place of obstruction lingual 1) interdental [θ], [ð]
 2) alveolar [t], [d], [l], [n], [s], [z]

3) palato-alveolar [ʈʃ], [dʒ], [ʃ], [ʒ]

4) post-alveolar [r]

5) palatal [j]

6) velar [k], [g], [ŋ]

4. The position of the soft palate 4.1 nasal [m], [n], [ŋ]

4.2 oral [l], [w], [r], [j], [v], [z], [ʒ], [ð], [b], [d],
[g], [dʒ], [f], [s], [h], [ʃ], [θ], [p], [t], [k],
[ʈʃ]

5. The work of vocal cords 5.1 voiced [m], [n], [ŋ], [l], [w], [r], [j], [v], [z], [ʒ],
[ð], [b], [d], [g], [dʒ]

5.2 voiceless [f], [s], [h], [ʃ], [θ], [p], [t], [k],
[ʈʃ]

6. The force of articulation 6.1 fortis [f], [s], [h], [ʃ], [θ], [p], [t], [k],
[ʈʃ]

6.2 lenis [m], [n], [ŋ], [l], [w], [r], [j], [v], [z], [ʒ],
[ð], [b], [d], [g], [dʒ]