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/i/ and /ɪ/ Sounds

Master the difference between long and short i sounds! Learn to distinguish between tense and relaxed vowel positions.

🎯 Long /i/ vs Short /ɪ/

These two sounds differ in mouth position and vowel length. One is tense, the other is relaxed.
/i/
Long /i/ (eat)
Tense position
Usually spelled with letter E
Say /i/ with the mouth tensed, like a small smile
eat, seed, fee
/ɪ/
Short /ɪ/ (ill)
Relaxed position
May be spelled with letter I, UI, or Y
Say /ɪ/ with relaxed lips and slightly open mouth
it, hit, listen

😊 Mouth Position Demo

Feel the Difference
😊
/i/ - Tense & Smiling
Mouth tensed like a small smile
Tongue high and forward
Click to demonstrate
😐
/ɪ/ - Relaxed & Open
Relaxed lips, slightly open mouth
Tongue lower and more central
Click to demonstrate
⚠️ Common Problems

If /i/ is replaced with /ɪ/: the word "eat" sounds like "it"

If /ɪ/ is replaced with /i/: the word "bit" sounds like "beat"

📚 Practice by Position

🎯 /i/ at Beginning, Middle, and End
Beginning
  • eagle
  • east
  • each
Middle
  • need
  • succeed
  • deep
End
  • see
  • rocky
  • happy
🎯 /ɪ/ Practice Words
it
hit
listen
big
quick
building

📊 Your Progress

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🎧 Listening Challenge

Listen carefully and identify which vowel sound you hear!
Click "Play" to hear a word

🔄 Minimal Pairs Practice

These word pairs differ only in the /i/ and /ɪ/ sounds. Listen carefully to the difference!
Compare and Contrast
eat vs it

/i/ vs /ɪ/

beat vs bit

/i/ vs /ɪ/

sheep vs ship

/i/ vs /ɪ/

feet vs fit

/i/ vs /ɪ/

leave vs live

/i/ vs /ɪ/

green vs grin

/i/ vs /ɪ/