Phonetic Analysis: Identifying Sound Differences and Similarities in Word Pairs

bath—bathe /æ/ - /eɪ/ The difference between the two sounds is the height and backness of the vowel. The /æ/ in 'bath' is a low, front vowel. The /eɪ/ in 'bathe' is a mid, front vowel. Both are unrounded.

reduce—reduction /juː/ - /ʃən/ The difference between the two sounds is the manner of articulation and the presence of a consonant. The /juː/ in 'reduce' is a glide followed by a high, back vowel. The /ʃən/ in 'reduction' is a fricative followed by a schwa vowel. Both are voiced.

cool—cold /uː/ - /oʊ/ The difference between the two sounds is the backness of the vowel. The /uː/ in 'cool' is a high, back vowel. The /oʊ/ in 'cold' is a mid, back vowel. Both are rounded.

wife—wives /aɪ/ - /ɪvz/ The difference between the two sounds is the height and backness of the vowel, as well as the presence of a consonant. The /aɪ/ in 'wife' is a low, front vowel followed by a glide. The /ɪvz/ in 'wives' is a mid, front vowel followed by a voiced consonant. Both are unrounded.

cats—dogs /æ/ - /ɔ/ The difference between the two sounds is the height and backness of the vowel. The /æ/ in 'cats' is a low, front vowel. The /ɔ/ in 'dogs' is a mid, back vowel. Both are unrounded.

impolite—indecent /ɪm/ - /ɪn/ The difference between the two sounds is the place of articulation. The /ɪm/ in 'impolite' is a high, front vowel followed by a bilabial nasal. The /ɪn/ in 'indecent' is a high, front vowel followed by an alveolar nasal. Both are unrounded.