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Minimal pair · Standard Southern British

British English /ɔː/ vs /ɒ/Port or pot? (British)

In the selected non-rhotic British forms, compare /ɔː/ with /ɒ/ before final /t/. X uses a different first consonant while retaining one of these vowel categories.

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/ɔː/

The ɔː category

In the selected non-rhotic British forms, compare /ɔː/ with /ɒ/ before final /t/. X uses a different first consonant while retaining one of these vowel categories.

As inport
/ɒ/

The ɒ category

In the selected non-rhotic British forms, compare /ɔː/ with /ɒ/ before final /t/. X uses a different first consonant while retaining one of these vowel categories.

As inpot

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

A small change.
A different word.

In the selected non-rhotic British forms, compare /ɔː/ with /ɒ/ before final /t/. X uses a different first consonant while retaining one of these vowel categories.

Sound examples

Cached recordings are being prepared
No recording
port
/pɔːt/a place where ships load and unload
No recording
court
/kɔːt/an area marked for a ball game
No recording
short
/ʃɔːt/small in length
No recording
pot
/pɒt/a deep container used for cooking
No recording
cot
/kɒt/a young child’s bed with sides
No recording
shot
/ʃɒt/a photograph

6 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.

In the selected non-rhotic British forms, compare /ɔː/ with /ɒ/ before final /t/. X uses a different first consonant while retaining one of these vowel categories.

Explore all British English contrasts
🌐 English