MinimalPairs
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Minimal pair · Standard Southern British

British English /ɪ/ vs /iː/KIT /ɪ/ / FLEECE /iː/

A separately dictionary-checked British reference core. Category support comes from the RP/SSBE descriptive tradition; this particular pack is not a new L2 training study.

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/ɪ/

The vowel in this first set

A near-close, unrounded vowel. Compare its quality with the other category, not just its duration.

As inship
/iː/

A close, long vowel

This German vowel differs in quality as well as length from /ɪ/.

As insheep

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

A separately dictionary-checked British reference core. Category support comes from the RP/SSBE descriptive tradition; this particular pack is not a new L2 training study.

Sound examples

Cached recordings are being prepared
No recording
ship
/ʃɪp/ship; vessel
No recording
fill
/fɪl/to make full
No recording
sit
/sɪt/to sit down
No recording
bit
/bɪt/small piece
No recording
fit
/fɪt/to be the right size
No recording
sheep
/ʃiːp/sheep; animal
No recording
feel
/fiːl/to perceive by touch
No recording
seat
/siːt/place to sit
No recording
beat
/biːt/to strike repeatedly
No recording
feet
/fiːt/plural of foot

10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.

This guide is free to read. Recordings for these examples are not available yet.

Now, let your ears decide.

Can you hear the difference? Listen to two examples, then decide which sound you hear in a new word. Get feedback after every answer.

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Keep the sound. Change the word.

A separately dictionary-checked British reference core. Category support comes from the RP/SSBE descriptive tradition; this particular pack is not a new L2 training study.

Explore all British English contrasts
🌐 English