Lax Vowels

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Lax Vowels

/æ/ Vowel Sound

(a) half
(b) math
(c) athlete
(d) answer

This is a very relaxed vowel. Your mouth must open. The side go out and down a bit.

The spelling for this sound is a.

/ɪ/ Vowel Sound

(a) this
(b) winner
(c) women
(d) business

This vowel can be very difficult because it is very relaxed. It is easy to confuse with the vowel /i:/, as in the word meet.

Notice that sometimes the spelling i does not represent the sound, as in (c) and (d).

Other spellings:
y: mystery
e: pretty

/ɛ/ Vowel Sound

(a) empty
(b) head
(c) again
(d) any

/ɛ/ is often condused with /eɪ/, as in ate, and /æ/, as in had.

The spelling is usually e but note the other spelling:

ea: dead
ai: said
a: Mary

/ɑ/ Vowel Sound

(a) doctor
(b) cloth
(c) dollar

Alhough it is often spelled with the letter o, this vowel is NOT pronounced with the /oʊ/ sound. Rather, the sound is /ɑ/ as in the word want.

Other spellings:

a: watch
ou: bought
au: author
aw: lawn

/ʊ/ Vowel Sound

(a) took
(b) foot
(c) push
(d) pull
(e) would

This sound is the only relaxed back vowel. Your lips are rounded, but not as tightly as for /u:/, Also, your tongue is high but not a high as for /u:/

The spelling for this sound is often oo, ou, or u.

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