This content is to be used as phonetic exercises for practicing standard initial and final consonant clusters in commonly used words.
Note on phonetic symbols: [θ] as in the word THIN; [ð] as in THIS; [sh] as in SHE; [zh] as in MIRAGE; [ch] as in CHEESE; [j] as in JANE; [ŋ] as in LONG.
Initial consonant clusters
[pl], [pr], [bl], [br]
plead – please – pleasant – plenty – plan – plastic – platter – plaza – plot – plural – plume – plug – pluck – plum – plump – plus – play – place – plain – plane – plague – plywood – plight – plow – plosive;
preach – priest – pretty – prepare – prefer – print – prison – press – present – pregnant – practice – practical – prank – problem – product – profit – proof – prove – prune – prude – professor – promote – praise – pray – prayer – price – pride – prime – private – prize – pry – proud – prowl – prose – probe – prone – program;
bleed – bleak – blink – bliss – bless – blend – black – blank – blast – block – blond – blue – bloom – blur – blood – blame – blaze – blind – blow – bloat;
breed – breeze – breathe – brief – bring – brick – brim – bread – breast – brand – bracket – bra – broad – broth – brood – broom – brook – brother – brush – brain – break – brace – bright – brow – brown – browser – broil – broken;
[tr], [dr]
tree – treat – trim – trip – trick – trend – tread – track – trap – travel – tram – trauma – true – troop – trust – truck – trunk – tray – trace – train – trail – try – tribe – trout – troll;
dream – drill – drink – drip – draft – drama – draw – drop – droop – drew – drum – drunk – drain – drape – dry – drive – drown – drone – drove;
[kl], [kr], [gl], [gr]
clean – clear – click – cling – clever – cleft – clan – class – clasp – clue – clerk – club – claim – clay – climb – cloud – clown – close – clone;
cream – creed – critical – crib – credit – crest – crack – crash – crawl – cross – crop – crew – cruise – crude – crook – crush – crust – crazy – crane – cry – crime – crisis – crowd – crown – crow;
glee – glib – glimpse – glare – glad – glamour – glance – glue – gloomy – glum – glide – globe – global;
green – Greek – grief – grease – grip – grim – grin – grab – gram – grand – grasp – grew – groom – group – great – grade – grave – grime – grind – ground – grow – grown – growth – gross;
[fl], [fr]
flee – fleece – flick – flint – flip – flesh – flex – flare – flap – flax – floor – flock – floss – flew – flu – flirt – flame – flake – fly – flight – Floyd – flow – flown;
free – freeze – freak – frequent – frisk – frigid – Fred – friend – fresh – Frank – fraction – fragment – fragile – fraud – frog – frost – fruit – frame – fragrant – phrase – freight – fry – fright – frown – froze;
[θr], [shr]
three – thrifty – thrill – thread – threat – threshold – thrash – throng – throb – through – threw – thrush – thrust – thrice – thrive – throat – throw – thrown – throne,
shriek – shrimp – shrink – shred – shredder – shrewd – shrug – shrine;
[sk], [skr]
ski – skin – skip – skim – scare – scan – scatter – scar – score – scoff – school – scuba – skirt – skunk – skull – sculpture – skate – scale – sky – scout – scoundrel – scope – scold;
scream – screen – screech – scribble – scrimp – script – scrap – scratch – scramble – scrawl – screw – scrooge – scruple – scrutiny – scrub – scrape – scroll;
[sl], [sm], [sn]
sleep – sleet – sleeve – sleazy – sling – slick – slim – slip – slit – slender – sledge – slam – slap – slash – slack – slang – slot – slob – sloppy – sluice – slew – slur – slurp – slum – slug – slave – slay – sleigh – sly – slide – slight – slime – slouch – slow – slope – slogan;
smear – Smith – smell – smash – smack – smart – small – smog – smock – smooth – smooch – smother – smudge – smug – smile – smoke – smolder;
sneeze – sneak – sneer – sniff – snip – snare – snack – snap – snatch – snarl – snore – snort – snorkel – snob – snoop – snug – snake – snail – snipe – sniper – snout – snow;
[sp], [spl], [spr]
speak – speed – spin – spit – spill – spirit – spend – special – speck – spell – spare – span – spam – spark – spa – sport – spot – sponsor – spoon – spool – spook – spur – sponge – Spain – space – spy – spice – spike – spine – spite – spout – spouse – spoil – spoke – spoken;
spleen – split – splint – splinter – splendid – splendor – splash – splotch – splurge – splay – splice;
spree – spring – sprint – sprinkle – spread – sprang – sprawl – spruce – sprung – spray – sprain – sprite – sprout;
[st], [str]
steal – steam – steel – steep – steer – stick – still – stiff – step – stencil – sterile – stare – stair – stand – stamp – stab – statue – staff – star – stark – start – store – stork – storm – stop – stock – story – stew – stool – stoop – student – stir – sterling – stern – study – stuff – stub – stubborn – stun – stunt – stumble – stay – stake – state – stain – style – sty – stout – stone – stove – stow;
street – stream – streak – strict – string – strip – stress – stretch – strength – strand – strangle – strap – stratosphere – straw – strong – struck – structure – struggle – strange – strain – straight – stray – strike – stripe – strive – stride – stroke – stroll;
[sw], [tw], [dw], [kw], [skw], [gw]
sweet – sweep – swim – swift – switch – swing – swindle – Swiss – swivel – swell – swept – sweat – swear – swore – sworn – swarm – swan – swallow – swamp – swab – swap – swung – sway – swine – swollen;
tweed – twin – twist – twig – twelve – twenty – twang – twice – twilight – twine;
dwarf – dwell – dwindle – Dwayne – Dwight;
queen – queer – quick – quit – question – quest – quarrel – quart – quarter – quite – quiet – quote – quotation;
squeeze – squeak – squeal – squid – square – squad – squander – squash – squat – squirrel – squirt;
Gwen – Gwendolen – Guatemala.
Final consonant clusters
[ft], [kt]
drift – gift – lift – sift – left – draft – shaft – loft – soft;
act – fact – tact – elect – affect – depict – deduct;
[lt], [ld]
belt – dealt – felt – melt – built – guilt – kilt – tilt – halt – malt – fault – default – vault – bolt – colt – jolt;
old – bold – cold – fold – gold – hold – mold – scold – sold – told – child – mild – wild – field – build – held – bald – world;
[lk], [lp], [lb]
milk – silk – elk – bulk – hulk – skulk – sulk;
help – yelp – palp – scalp – pulp;
bulb – lightbulb;
[lf], [lv]
self – elf – shelf – golf – gulf – wolf – Ralph – Rolph – Rudolph;
solve – involve – revolve – valve – delve;
[lch], [lj], [lm], [ls]
belch – filch – gulch – mulch – squelch;
bilge – bulge – divulge – indulge;
film – elm – helm – realm;
else – false – pulse – impulse;
[mp], [mf]
limp – temp – camp – lamp – ramp – stamp – stomp – bump – dump – jump – plump – rump – stump;
lymph – nymph – triumph;
[nt], [nd]
mint – lint – sent – spent – bent – tent – vent – moment – agreement – statement – pant – can't – haunt – want – hunt – paint – saint – pint – point – joint;
wind – send – spend – lend – friend – attend – band – land – hand – sand – bond – fond – pond – fund – find – kind – bind – mind – behind – rind – wind – found – round – sound – pound;
[nch], [nj]
finch – pinch – bench – French – branch – ranch – launch – bunch – crunch – hunch – lunch;
change – range – strange – binge – cringe – fringe – tinge – sponge – lunge – plunge – lounge;
[ns], [nz]
rinse – since – mince – wince – dense – fence – sense – absence – license – science – chance – dance – fragrance – ounce;
cleanse [klenz] – lens [lenz];
[ŋk]
pink [piŋk] – ink – drink – think – link – mink – sink – shrink – wink – bank – banker – sank – rank – frank – spank – tank – honk – monk – monkey – drunk – junk – punk – skunk – anchor;
wrinkle – uncle – ankle – twinkle – sprinkle;
distinct – jinx – anxious – banquet ['bæŋkwit];
[ŋg]
finger ['fiŋgər] – linger – hunger – anger – longer – longest – stronger – strongest – younger – youngest – lingo;
hungry – angry – congress (noun) – mongrel;
single – jingle – angle – strangle – tangle – jungle;
language – linguist – distinguish – extinguish – penguin;
Note: penguin ['peŋgwin] or ['pengwin].
Note: The sound combination [ŋg] does not occur at the end of English words. It is given here for comparison with [ŋk], which can be at the end and in the middle of words.
[ps], [pt], [mpt]
perhaps – lapse – collapse – ellipse – glimpse – oops;
apt – rapt – crept – kept – accept – crypt – script – adopt – erupt;
attempt – tempt – contempt – prompt;
[sk], [sp], [st]
risk – flask – mask – task – desk – mosque – dusk – husk;
lisp – crisp – wisp – clasp – grasp – wasp;
least – feast – beast – mist – wrist – best – chest – test – fast – last – past – cost – lost – first – thirst – burst – dust – must – rust – paste – taste – waste – boast – coast – roast – most – post.
Clusters with final [θ]
month – health – wealth – stealth – filth – warmth – strength – length – width – breadth – depth;
seventh – ninth – tenth – fifteenth – sixteenth – thirteenth – sixth ['siksθ] – fifth – twelfth – eighth [eitθ] – hundredth – thousandth.
Note: length [leŋθ] or [leŋkθ]; strength [streŋθ] or [streŋkθ].
Final consonant clusters with the ending S/ES
[ps], [ts], [ks]
stops – lamps – helps – tips – types;
writes – lights – tests – texts – hosts;
weeks – links – thanks – sharks – locks;
[bz], [dz], [gz]
rubs – bulbs – robs – tubs – tubes;
needs – holds – worlds – thousands;
pigs – digs – legs – logs – tags;
[fs], [θs]
beliefs – laughs – gulfs – cliffs – cuffs;
births – deaths – months – myths – truths;
[vz], [ðz]
leaves – knives – wolves – valves – saves;
clothes – breathes – bathes.
Note: cloths [kloðz] or [kloθs]; clothes [klouðz] or [klouz]; oaths [ouðz]; BrE: baths [ba:ðz] or [ba:θs]; AmE: baths [bæðz] or [bæθs].
[mz], [nz], [lz], [ŋz]
homes – comes – rooms – storms – times – hums;
bones – cleans – fans – oceans – tons – runs;
files – girls – pals – coals – thrills – halls;
kings – lungs – rings – things – tongues.
Final consonant clusters with the ending ED
[pt], [kt], [ft]
hoped – stopped – tipped – typed – leaped;
baked – locked – marked – parked – picked – linked;
sniffed – laughed – coughed – cuffed;
[st], [sht], [cht]
missed – passed – danced – mixed – raced – rinsed;
washed – mashed – rushed – fished – wished;
watched – reached – marched – searched – stretched;
[bd], [gd]
grabbed – stabbed – robbed– rubbed – cubed;
begged – lagged – logged – hugged;
[vd], [ðd], [zd]
lived – received – saved – dived;
bathed – breathed – clothed – teethed;
seized – raised – closed – used;
[jd], [zhd]
charged – managed – damaged – paged;
rouged;
[md], [nd], [ld], [ŋd]
filmed – armed – stormed – hummed – aimed – teamed;
planned – rained – loaned – canned – lined;
boiled – called – hurled – sailed – sealed – filed;
hanged – banged – longed – belonged – prolonged.
[lkt], [lpt], [lvd]
milked – bulked – hulked – skulked – sulked;
helped – yelped – scalped – pulped;
solved – involved – revolved – delved;
[mpt], [mft]
limped – camped – stamped – bumped – dumped – jumped;
triumphed;
[ncht], [lcht]
pinched – branched – drenched – wrenched – launched – crunched – lunched;
belched – squelched – filched – mulched;
[njd], [ljd]
changed – ranged – arranged – cringed – sponged – lunged;
bulged – divulged – indulged;
Note: See pronunciation charts for the endings S/ES and ED in English Consonant Sounds in the section Phonetics. Rules for adding S/ES and ED are described in Adding the Ending s/es to Nouns and Verbs and Adding the Endings ed, ing to Verbs in the section Writing.
Other final consonant combinations
Some final consonant combinations (for example, pl, bl, tl, dl, cl, gl, fl, thm, sm) which do not have a vowel between the consonants in spelling can be pronounced with or without the neutral sound [ə] between the consonants. Also, the neutral sound may or may not be pronounced in final unstressed suffixes which have a vowel or vowels between such consonants in spelling. Such consonant combinations may or may not be consonant clusters depending on whether the neutral sound is absent or present. Compare these examples:
apple ['æpəl] – ['æpl]; table ['teibəl] – ['teibl];
little ['litəl] – ['litl]; riddle ['ridəl] – ['ridl];
bottle ['botəl] – ['botl]; handle ['hændəl] – ['hændl];
miracle ['mirəkəl] – ['mirəkl]; eagle ['i:gəl] – ['i:gl];
rifle ['raifəl] – ['raifl]; waffle ['wofəl] – ['wofl];
rhythm ['riðəm] – ['riðm]; prism ['prizəm] – ['prizm];
kitten ['kitən] – ['kitn]; hidden ['hidən] – ['hidn];
lesson ['lesən] – ['lesn]; mention ['menshən] – ['menshn].
For learners of AmE: Final consonant clusters with [r]
In American English, the sound [r] before consonants is usually pronounced. The exercises below are for practicing final consonant clusters containing the sound [r] before different consonant sounds. Note that the neutral sound [ə] should not appear after the sound [r] in the clusters.
[rd], [rt]
card – hard – guard [ga:rd]; lord – board [bo:rd];
bird – heard – third – word – stirred [stərd] – occurred [ə'kərd];
part – mart – start – heart; port – court; hurt [hərt] – dirt;
[rk], [rb], [rp]
mark – park – dark; fork – pork – stork; work – clerk [klərk];
curb [kərb] – herb [ərb], [hərb] – verb – disturb;
harp – carp; burp [bərp] – slurp [slərp];
[rs], [rz], [rθ]
horse – course; nurse – purse – worse [wərs];
cars – Mars [ma:rz]; doors – wars; furs – purrs [pərz];
north – forth – fourth [fo:rθ]; earth [ərθ] – worth [wərθ];
[rl], [rm], [rn]
snarl – Carl; curl – girl – pearl [pərl];
farm – harm – alarm; norm – storm – warm;
burn – turn – earn [ərn] – learn; born – torn – warn;
[rld], [rmd], [rnd]
curled [kərld] – world [wərld]; snarled [sna:rld];
alarmed [ə'la:rmd] – farmed – harmed; formed – warmed [wo:rmd];
burned [bərnd] – turned – earned [ərnd]; warned [wo:rnd];
[rkt], [rst]
marked – parked; worked – lurked [lərkt];
forced – divorced [di'vo:rst]; burst – first – worst.
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