Lesson 25 [t] as top, return and cat

How to pronounce [t]

Tongue Tip: firmly pressed against the gum ridge

behind front teeth

Air stream: stopped and then exploded

Vocal Cords: not vibrating

Possible pronunciation problems

Examples

-If you say [d] instead of [t]: two will sound like do
[t][d]two(2)do()
-If you say [t] instead of [t]: tease will sound like cheese
[t][t]tease()cheese()

Word practice

[t] At the beginning [t] In the middle [t] At the end

to until it
talk after but
time empty ate
ten wanted boat
tell attend late
true return light
toss winter might

Hint: The letter t is usually pronounced as [t].

The letter edin the past tense of verbs are pronounced as [t] when they follow a
voiceless consonant. stopped looked kissed laughed

1
 When [t] is between two vowels and follows a stressed syllable ( as butter, water,
city), [ t] is not aspirated.

Exercise 1

Listen and repeat after your instructor. The letter t in the following words are
between vowels, so it is not aspirated.

city water pretty writing better

notice pattern butter cutting sitting

Sentence Practice
Read the sentences aloud. Pay attention to the boldfaced words and
phrases.
1. Tell the teacher.
2. tea and toast
3. to be or not to be
4. Take your time.
5. Today is Tuesday, October tenth.
6. Turn off the light.
7. Tim bought two tickets.
8. Pat wrote a poem.
9. Should we leave a fifteen percent tip?
10. The boat wont return until eight.

Exercise 2
Complete each sentence with a word from the box. Then practice saying the
sentence aloud.

too write not two aunt

knot right aunt knight night
toe tow thyme time tale tail

1. Tess had _______________ much to eat.

2. I must return _________________ books.
3. Two wrong don't make a _________________________.
4. Please _________________ me a note.
5. Tim's __________________ is twenty-two.
6. Tie a tight ________________.
7. When you go to bed, please leave the ______________ light on.
8. Tony broke his little _______________.
9. What ______________ is the party?
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10. That tiger has tiny ______________.