E + R

Mastering the "E + R" sound will make your English sound much more natural, especially in common words. It's a key feature of many American English accents.

How to make it

/ɛr/
SQUARE r-colored
Lips: neutral
Tongue: mid-front
Voicing: voiced
💡 Start at /ɛ/ then add the American r curl.

1. Start with your mouth relaxed and your tongue slightly arched in the middle, similar to a short 'e' sound.
2. Without stopping, tighten your tongue and pull it back slightly towards the roof of your mouth for the 'r' sound.
3. Keep your lips relaxed throughout the transition.

Watch out for

• Over-emphasizing the 'e': Make sure the 'e' flows smoothly into the 'r' without a distinct stop. The 'r' should be the dominant part of the sound.
• Not tightening the tongue enough for 'r': Ensure your tongue is firm and pulled back to create the characteristic American 'r' sound.

Words to try

• airplane
• dare
• fairy
• glare
• pairing
• scared
• shared
• weary

💡 Practice blending the 'e' and 'r' together into one smooth, connected sound!