Minimal Pairs | L1 pronunciation problems | Home

Minimal Pairs – /ɔ:/ and /ɜ:/

/ɔ:/ as in "four"   ·   /ɜ:/ as in "fur"

fourfur
courtcurt
allurl
porepurr
formfirm
chordcurd
sportspurt
whoreher
tornturn
orerr
walkwork
thawedthird
horsehearse
shortshirt
warmworm
hoardheard
boredbird
Paulpearl
storestir
wardword

Read the words aloud, concentrating on the difference between the two vowel sounds.