For Students
American English Pronunciation
Lesson 23
Pronounce the sound in the words ten, tip, time, tile
In this lesson you will watch a video, and learn the following: how to spell this sound, the sound type, proper mouth position. You will practice pronouncing this sound and take a test.
Watch the video
Watch the following video and learn how to pronounce this sound.
How to spell this sound
This sound can be spelled in any of the following ways.
t ten, top, tell, tip, town, tame, time, tin, tam, tile, tore, tine
 

Note: the red letters all have the same sound

Sound type
This is an UNVOICED sound which means Your Vocal Cords DO NOT vibrate when making the sound.
You CANNOT LISTEN to your Vocal Cords vibrating if you cover your ears with your hands.

Try covering your ears with your hands as Akiko is doing in the picture.

Now make the sound of this lesson. You cannot listen to your vocal cords vibrating.
VERY GOOD
You CANNOT FEEL your Vocal Cords vibrating if you place your hands on your neck.

Try placing your hands on your neck as Akiko is doing in the picture.

Now make the sound of this lesson. You cannot feel your vocal cords vibrating.
VERY GOOD
The following diagram shows the most important parts of your head and mouth used for pronouncing the sounds of English. It also shows the location of your Vocal Cords.
Mouth, lips, and tongue position
The following descriptions explain the proper mouth, lips, and tongue position when you make this sound.
Mouth

Your mouth releases air which is then quickly stopped.
Lips

Your lips should be slightly separated.
Tongue

The front part of your tongue should be behind your upper teeth.
Pronunciation practice video
Watch the following video and practice pronouncing this sound.
Pronunciation practice words
Look at your mouth in a mirror and practice pronouncing the following words. Make sure your mouth, lips, and tongue are in their proper positions.
ten top tell tip
town tame time tin
tam tile tore tine
 

Note: the red letters all have the same sound (watch the video above)

Pronunciation tongue twisters test
Try saying the following tongue twisters as quickly as possible.
  • Toy boat [repeated]

  • Toy boat. Toy boat. Toy boat.

  • A Tudor who tooted a flute tried to tutor two tooters to toot. Said the two to their tutor, "Is it harder to toot or to tutor two tooters to toot?"

  • Tim, the thin twin tinsmith

  • The two-twenty-two train tore through the tunnel.

  • Twelve twins twirled twelve twigs.

  • Two Truckee truckers truculently truckling to have truck to truck two trucks of truck.

  • Two toads, totally tired.

  • Hi-Tech Traveling Tractor Trailor Truck Tracker.

  • Three twigs twined tightly.

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