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Core minimal pairs
Core minimal pairs for /ɔ/
/ɔ/ has rounded lips, tongue mid-back. In many US accents, /ɔ/ merges with /ɑ/ (cot-caught merger).
Practice these minimal pairs carefully. If the pair sounds the same in your recording, you're not making the contrast.
Your goal
- Say each pair slowly first — exaggerate the difference.
- Then say each pair at natural speed with the contrast preserved.
- Record and self-check.
/ɔ/open-mid back roundedArticulator diagram · regional variants · drill ↗
Listen Across Accents
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caught
bought
dawn
Your Turn — 4 exercises
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