Reference

Everyday words where one sound changes the meaning

In these words, one changed sound can make listeners hear a different word or a different number. Say the version in the 'Say it like this' column; the Rule column shows where each sound is explained.

Word	Say it like this	If you say	Listeners may hear	Rule
thirteen	thəə-tiin	thəə-tin	thirty	Rule 2
fourteen	foo-tiin	foo-tin	forty	Rule 2
right	rait	lait	light	Rule 3
correct	kə-rekt	kə-lekt	collect	Rule 3
work	wəək	wook	walk	Rule 4
can't	kaant	kan	can	Rule 6
sheep	shiip	ship	ship	Rule 6
leave	liiv	liv	live	Rule 6

Where American English differs

Practise the Standard English form shown here. Listen to the American example so you can recognise another pronunciation of the same word.

The 'Some listeners may hear' column highlights possible confusions to explore in practice. What a listener hears also depends on the context and the pronunciation they are used to.

Word	Say this(Standard English)	Also heard(American)	Some listeners may hear	Rule
little	li-təl	li-dəl	no other word	Rule 1
litre	lii-tə	lii-dər	leader	Rule 1
writing	rai-ting	rai-ding	riding	Rule 1
putting	pu-ting	pu-ding	pudding	Rule 1
metal	me-təl	me-dəl	medal	Rule 1
thirty	thəə-ti	thər-di	no other word	Rule 1
hot	hot	haat	heart	Rule 5
not	not	naat	nut	Rule 5

Words such as tomato, schedule or the letter Z are said differently in American and Standard English, but listeners understand either version, so this guide leaves them out.