IELTS Laboratory
Menu
Log in

Homework series · speakers

Long and short vowels

By Will SalisburyUpdated

Short vowels are quick sounds, like /ɪ/ in ship, and long vowels are held longer, like /iː/ in sheep. In British English the pairs also differ in mouth shape, not just length. Spelling can mislead you, because the letters called long and short in spelling lessons are not the same as the sounds.

1 · Read the problems2 · One lesson a day3 · Review your mistakes4 · Go round again

1 · Pronunciation

Hear it, see it, say it

IELTS tip. In the Speaking test, the difference between long and short vowels changes words you use all the time, such as live and leave, or sit and seat. Choose the three pairs that are hardest for you and record a short answer using them. In Listening, careful listening for these pairs helps you write the right word when two answers are almost the same.

How to make it

  1. For short /ɪ/, /ʊ/ and /ɒ/, relax your mouth and say the sound quickly.
  2. For long /iː/, spread your lips and raise your tongue. For /uː/, round your lips tightly.
  3. For /ɔː/, make a medium round shape and hold it.
  4. Say each pair in a row: short, long, short, long. Feel both the length and the shape.

ship, sheep, full, fool, cot, caught, cut, bed, bird

Quick answers

What is the difference between long and short vowels?

Short vowels are quick and long vowels are held longer. In British English the long vowels also have a different mouth shape, so length is not the only difference.

Is the long a in cake the same as a long vowel in pronunciation?

No. The 'long a' in spelling lessons is /eɪ/, a glide. In pronunciation, a long vowel is a pure, steady sound such as /iː/ or /ɑː/.

How many long and short vowel pairs are there?

There are five main pairs in British English: /ɪ/ and /iː/, /ʊ/ and /uː/, /ɒ/ and /ɔː/, /ʌ/ and /ɑː/, and /e/ and /ɜː/.

How can I hear the difference?

Use minimal pairs such as ship and sheep. Listen with your eyes closed, say which word you hear, then check. Repeat with a few pairs each day.

Read the full lesson: Long and short vowels