B V W Pronunciation: Differentiate B, V and W in English
Practice the difference between the English B, V and W sounds with clear examples to master lip movement, airflow, and voicing.
Where is the sound made?
- The lips round and push forward, away from the teeth, just like for the BLUE MOON vowel sound
How does the air flow?
- / w / is a Bridge consonant, because it’s somewhere between a vowel and a consonant. It doesn’t stop or block the airflow. Instead, the air flows smoothly as your lips move from a rounded to a more open position.
Do I use my voice?
- Yes. /w/ is a voiced sound, so your vocal cords vibrate when you say it.
Where is the sound made?
-
Your top front teeth rest gently on your bottom lip (not biting, just touching lightly).
How does the air flow?
-
The airflow is continuous and gentle, moving between your teeth and bottom lip. You should feel a soft vibration there as the air passes through.
Do I use my voice?
- Yes. /v/ is a voiced sound, so your vocal cords vibrate when you say it.
Where is the sound made?
-
Your lips come together to stop the air
How does the air flow?
-
This is a Stop consonant. The airflow is blocked as your lips close, then released when they open
Do I use my voice?
- Yes. /b/ is a voiced sound, so your vocal cords vibrate when you say it.
One Way /w/:
- w: win, weary
- wh: what, why
- u: quick, language
Velvet Glove /v/
- v: very, love, available
Baby Bib /b/:
- b: baby, cab, about
- bb: rabbit, bubble, rubber
- Careful- the letter B can be silent as in lamb, thumb and climb
One Way /w/:
- Saying something closer to Velvet Glove /v/ instead of One Way /w/.
- Not rounding the lips enough at the start of the sound
Velvet Glove /v/:
- Saying something closer to One Way /w/ instead of Velvet Glove /v/.
- Dropping the sound altogether, especially at the end of words
Baby Bib /b/:
- Saying something closer to Very Glove /v/ instead of Baby Bib /b/.
- Dropping the sound at the end of words
One Way /w/, Velvet Glove /v/ & Baby Bib /b/ Training
The following exercises combine listening, shadowing, and gradually increasing complexity to help you internalize new sounds and rhythm patterns in your spoken English.
Level 1 is available to all visitors. CEA members unlock the complete training.
Goal: Hear and produce the One Way /w/, Velvet Glove /v/ and Baby Bib /b/ sounds clearly at the beginning of words and syllables.
1) Say each word slowly and clearly.
- Focus on the movement of your lips and the flow of air for each sound.
2) Record yourself the listen back:
- Do your /b/, /v/, and /w/ sounds feel clear and distinct?
- Are you avoiding substitutions?
Mini Challenge: “Flood” the words in each column (say all of one column in a row). Can you keep the /b/, /v/ and /w/ sounds consistent from top to bottom?
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Baby Bib /b/
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Velvet Glove /v/
-
One Way /w/
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be
-
V
-
we
-
best
-
vest
-
west
-
bent
-
vent
-
went
-
bow
-
vow
-
wow
-
flood these words
-
flood these words
-
flood these words
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