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Vowel
Short E
The short "e" sound as in "bed", "red", "get", and "let". This is a mid-front vowel sound that is shorter and more relaxed than the long "e" sound.
Phonetic
eVoicing
VoicedPlace of Articulation
Front (Mid)Manner of Articulation
Vowel (Mid/Front)Mouth Position
The jaw is mid-open, lips are slightly spread but relaxed. The tongue is mid-high and towards the front of the mouth, but not as high as for the long "e" sound.
How to Make This Sound
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Example Words
bedMain Example
bɛdred
rɛdget
gɛtlet
lɛtpen
pɛnhead
hɛdsaid
sɛdfriend
frɛndPronunciation Practice
9 words
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Quick Practice
3-5 essential words
Full Practice
All 9 words
Minimal Pairs
Listen and compare similar sounds
e
bed
bɛdCompare with
B
bad
bæde
pen
pɛnCompare with
P
pan
pæne
get
gɛtCompare with
G
gate
geɪte
let
lɛtCompare with
L
late
leɪtTongue Twister
Practice: Vowel
“Ten men went to the red bed and said they felt well fed.”
Practice this tongue twister to improve your pronunciation