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Core minimal pairs

Core minimal pairs for /ɔɪ/

/ɔɪ/ starts rounded at /ɔ/ and glides up to /ɪ/. Lips round strongly at the start, then relax.

Practice these minimal pairs carefully. If the pair sounds the same in your recording, you're not making the contrast.

Your goal

  1. Say each pair slowly first — exaggerate the difference.
  2. Then say each pair at natural speed with the contrast preserved.
  3. Record and self-check.
/ɔɪ/CHOICE diphthongArticulator diagram · regional variants · drill ↗

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Core minimal pairs — Master the /ɔɪ/ vowel — CHOICE