/i/ and /ɪ/
How to pronounce
/i/ eat
/i/ is usually spelled with the letter e. Say /i/ with the mouth tensed, like a small smile.
- ear
- seed
- fee
Problems occur when confusing with other vowel sound /ɪ/.
- If /i/ is replaced with /ɪ/, the word fill sounds like feel.
Listen to the following words beginning with /i/ at the beginning, middle, and end. Repeat after the example.
beginning
- eagle
- east
- each
middle
- need
- succeed
- deep
end
- see
- rocky
- happy
/ɪ/ ill
/ɪ/ may be spelled with the letters i, ui, or y. Say /ɪ/ with relaxed lips and slightly open mouth.
- it
- hit
- listen
Problems occur when confusing with other vowel sound /i/.
- If /ɪ/ is replaced with /i/, the word bit sounds like beat.