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Homework series · speakers

The r sound

By Will SalisburyUpdated

In British English, the r sound is made with the tongue pulled back and the tip touching nothing, and it is said only before a vowel. So you say r in red and very, but not in car, teacher or park. You do say it when a vowel follows, as in 'far away'.

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, a strong rolled r or a mix-up between r and l can make words like right, road, correct and problem harder to recognise. Practise ten words from your topics, such as around, country, correct and problem, and record them. Check the r is smooth and that you do not say it at the end of words like teacher and computer when a consonant follows.

How to make it

  1. Pull your tongue back and lift the tip towards the roof of your mouth. Do not let it touch.
  2. Let the sides of your tongue rest against your upper back teeth and round your lips slightly.
  3. Say 'rrr' with your voice on, then glide into a vowel: 'red', 'road', 'right'.
  4. For /l/, touch the tip to the ridge. The difference is the touch: /l/ touches, /r/ does not.

red, road, right, very, three, car, teacher, here, far away, light

Quick answers

How do you pronounce r in English?

Pull your tongue back and lift the tip so it touches nothing. Round your lips slightly and use your voice. The sound is smooth, with no tap or roll.

Is the r silent in British English?

It is silent after a vowel at the end of a word or before a consonant, as in car and park. It is pronounced before a vowel, as in red and very, and in links such as 'far away'.

Is it wrong to say the r in car?

Many accents, such as General American and Scottish English, do say it. For this course, we follow British English, where it is silent. Choose one pattern and use it consistently.

Why do I confuse r and l?

Your first language may not separate them. In English, l touches the ridge behind the top teeth and r touches nothing. Minimal pairs like light and right help you hear and make the difference.

Read the full lesson: The r sound