Short E

The Short E sound is super common in English, and getting it right helps you sound clear and confident. It's a relaxed, open sound that's key to many everyday words.

How to make it

/ɛ/
open-mid front
Lips: neutral
Tongue: mid-front
Voicing: voiced
💡 Jaw slightly more open than /e/.

1. Relax your jaw, lips, and throat.
2. Arch your tongue slightly in the middle of your mouth.
3. Touch the tip of your tongue gently behind your bottom front teeth, without pressing.
4. Let the sound come out freely, feeling the vibration at the top of your mouth.

Watch out for

• Tongue too far back or tense — This can make the sound too deep or tight, sometimes sounding like a different vowel. Ensure your tongue is relaxed and arched in the middle.
• Tongue too high or tight before an R — While some regional accents might raise the tongue slightly before an 'R', for a standard sound, keep it relaxed and in the middle position to avoid tension.

Words to try

• edge
• head
• friend
• send
• bread
• mess
• well
• text

💡 Practice makes perfect! Don't be afraid to experiment with your tongue position until you find that sweet spot.