Minimal pairs with the S and Z sounds

Wadjasay? American English Pronunciation Practice

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Minimal pairs with /s/ and /z/.

/S/ is unvoiced (no vibration in the vocal cords). /Z/ is voiced (the vocal cords are vibrating).

Listen: ssssssssssssssssss

Now listen to /z/: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

1) Ace — As

I have the ace of spades.

There are two letter ‘As’ in the word ‘algebra’.

2) dice — dies

He threw his dice and got a seven.

This annual flower dies when winter comes.

3) ice — eyes

I love ice cream.

You have beautiful eyes.

4) loose — lose

Oh, no! The cow got loose again!

Did you lose your keys again?

5) muscle — muzzle

I go to the gym every day to build muscle.

My dog tries to bite people so he has to wear a muzzle.

6) gross — grows

My dog threw up his breakfast. It was gross! (Disgusting)

My neighbor grows beautiful flowers in her garden.

7) place — plays

Is this the place where he plays tennis?

8) sink — zinc

If you drop zinc into water, it will sink.

9) sip — zip

Please sip your drink slowly.

I forgot to zip my suitcase.

10) said — zed

He said he would be home in time for dinner.

“In England, the last letter of the alphabet is “zed”. In the US, it’s “Z”.

This podcast ends with a discussion of “minimal pairs” and how to use them in language learning.

Intro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

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