Lessons Unit 3, lesson 6
f + vowels
The f beginning opening into every vowel it starts words with. Get the mouth ready for f, release straight into the vowel — no gap, no extra sound between them.
What do the marks mean?
Want the full walkthrough? Read the map explains every mark, with practice.
ff as in father
Rest your top teeth on your bottom lip and blow: fff. Air only — your voice stays off.
f + every vowel
One row per combination. Tap any word to hear it — every sheet comes straight from the tool.
| f æ | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| f ɪ | |||
| f ɛ | |||
| f ʌ | |||
| f ʊ | |||
| f ɑ | |||
| f iː | |||
| f uː | |||
| f ɔː | |||
| f eɪ | |||
| f aɪ | |||
| f aʊ | |||
| f oʊ | |||
| f ɝ |
Teeth on lip, air only
F never involves your voice — rest your top teeth lightly on your bottom lip and just push air through, as in fan, felt, and fit. If you feel your throat buzzing, you've drifted into v; keep a hand on your throat while you practice to make sure it stays silent.
Where rounding sneaks in
Before the rounded vowels in food, fool, and phone, your lips round forward even while your teeth stay resting on your lip, so the shape has a little more work to do. Compare first and firm, both built on the r-colored ɝ, where the tongue pulls back right after the f releases.
Go through one column at a time, reading each word, then say the whole column again from memory, keeping the airflow steady and voiceless throughout, whether the vowel is short like fat or long like fool.