Minimal pairs with /θ/ and /ð/

/t/, /θ/ minimal pairs

/t/ is a voiceless stop, and /θ/ is voiceless fricative. /t/ occurs at the alveolar ridge, and /θ/ at the teeth. /t/ has popping in it, but /θ/ can continue the sound. 


The following minimal pair words begin with /t/ and /θ/: (changed but did not record: ignore)

tank thank 

taught thought 

torn thorn 

team theme 

trash thrash 

tread thread 

term therm 

trill thrill 

Thai thigh 

tie thigh

tin thin

true through 

tick thick 

tug thug


The following minimal pair words end with /t/ and /θ/:

boat both 

debt death

fate faith 

fort fourth 

got Goth 

heat Heath

mats maths 

oat oath 

root Ruth

tent tenth 

toot tooth



/t/, /θ/ sentences

Both of us liked the boat.

The debt was forgiven after her death.

I have faith in my fate.

The fourth fort was much stronger.

I made an oath not to eat oatmeal.

The theme of the party made my team excited.

The wind thrashed the trash.

The tick was thick.

/d/, /ð/ minimal pairs

These pairs are exactly the same as /t/ and /θ/ except for voicing. That is, /d/ is an alveolar voiced stop, and /ð/ is an interdental voiced fricative. /d/ has popping in it, but /ð/ can continue the sound. These are /d/, /ð/ minimal pairs.

breed breathe 

doe though 

doze those 

ride writhe 

dare their

D's these 

diss this

dough though

mudder mother

side scythe 

Dave they've 

header Heather 

teed teethe 

day they 

laid lathe 

ladder lather

udder other 

den then 

lied lithe 

wording Worthing 

dense thence 

load loathe 

wordy worthy

/d/, /ð/ sentences

Dogs of this breed breathe heavily.

Those dogs dozed off.

They were there the next day.

We lathered the ladder with soap.

The lithe woman lied.

 

Comments