Consonant Sounds — Voiced and Voiceless

A1 · Sounds · p/b · t/d · k/g — and why final consonants matter

Many English consonants come in pairs made with the same mouth position: one is quiet (voiceless), one buzzes (voiced). Pat vs bat, ten vs den. And the final consonant of a word is precious — drop it, and the word changes or vanishes.

👂 Notice→🔊 Listen→🔍 Notice the Difference→🗣️ Repeat→⚖️ Compare→🔁 Shadow→❓ Quiz

Step 1 — Notice

Put your fingers on your throat and say 'ssss' then 'zzzz'. The buzz you feel on 'zzzz' is VOICE. English pairs work the same way: /p/ and /b/ use identical lips — /b/ adds the buzz. /t/ and /d/, /k/ and /g/ are pairs too. At the END of words the difference is small but vital: 'cap' and 'cab' must not sound the same.

Step 2 — Listen

AI-generated American voice. Natural first, then slow. Listen as many times as you need.

pat

Voiceless /p/ — feel the puff of air.

bat

Voiced /b/ — same lips, plus the buzz.

ten

Voiceless /t/.

den

Voiced /d/.

coat

Voiceless /k/ … /t/.

goat

Voiced /g/ … /t/.

Pat has a big dog.

Hear every final consonant land: big, dog.

Ear Training — Which Word Did You Hear?

Play the word, then choose what you heard. After you answer, hear both words and compare.

Step 4 — Repeat & Record

Say each model out loud, right after the voice. Then record yourself saying the target line: pat

🎙 Practice recorder

Record yourself, play it back, and compare with the model. Recordings stay in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

Step 5 — Compare & Self-Check

Play your recording from Step 4. Then play the model again. No scores — just honest ears. Tick what you truly did:

Step 6 — Shadow

The text starts hidden. Listen first, then reveal it, then speak with the voice — same rhythm, half a second behind.

Pat has a big black dog.

The cat sat on the red coat.

Practice Quiz

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