Grammar Tip:

The sound /p/ is in the common prefix "pre-". This prefix usually means "before" and can be part of a noun or verb. The prefix is usually unstressed, but it can be stressed.

 

• predict
• prepay
• pretest
• precaution

 

 

The sound /p/ is also in the prefix "pro." This prefix can mean "for," "advance/forth," "forward/in front of" or "in place of."

 

• proclaim
• produce
• promote
• proportion

 

 

/p/…/b/…/p/…/b/…/p/…/b/…

These are both bilabial stop consonants. However, /p/ is voiceless and /b/ is voiced. There is no aspiration after /b/ at the beginning of a word. At the end of a word, the vowel before /b/ will be longer than the vowel before /p/.

 

1. A. pie, B. buy
2. A. planned, B. bland
3. A. pride, B. bride
4. A. cup, B. cub
5. A. mops, B. mobs
6. A, staple, B. stable

 

 

 

/p/…/f/…/p/…/f/…/p/…/f/…

These are both voiceless consonants that are pronounced using the lips. However, /p/ is a bilabial stop and /f/ is a labio-dental fricative. When you pronounce /p/, your teeth should not touch your lips and the air in your mouth should be stopped.

 

1. A. pat, B. fat
2. A. plush, B. flush
3. A. praise, B. phrase
4. A. lap, B. laugh
5. A. gulps, B. gulfs
6. A. coffee, B. copy

 

1. please – sweep – mop
Please sweep and mop the floor.
2. spring – plant – grapevines
In spring we will plant some grapevines.
3. employment – apply – position
Contact the employment agency to apply for a position.
4. purpose – project – provide
The purpose of this project is to provide new community resources.
5. public – harp – performance
We attended a public harp performance last night.
6. explain – company – procedures
Can you explain the company’s hiring procedures?