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Core minimal pairs
Core minimal pairs for /æ/
/æ/ needs a wide-open jaw and forward tongue. Don't back it toward /ɑ/ (HOT) or close it to /ɛ/ (DRESS).
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.
/æ/near-open frontArticulator diagram · regional variants · drill ↗
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Your Turn — 4 exercises
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