DIPHTHONGS

What are diphthongs?

A combination of two vowel sounds.

Sounds which consist of a movement

or glide from one vowel to another.

There are eight diphthongs in

English language


(both British and American)
e

Move from open, front vowel sound to

half open, central vowel sound.

Peer
Fierce
Tears
Beard
Deer

She enjoys the respect of her peers.

There is a herd of red deer on the
mountain.
Her daughter is very dear to her.
Are you a beer drinker?
The child was shaking with fear.
She left the room in tears.
Are you clear about the
arrangements for tomorrow.

e
(both British and American)

Move from half open, front vowel

sound to half open, central vowel
sound.

Aired
Pear
Bear
Care
Rare
Fair


(both British and American)

Move from close, back vowel sound to

half open, central vowel sound.

Poor
Tour
Tournament
pluralize

The band is on tour in France.

The Sahara cup tournament was won
by Australia.
The verb should be in plural in this
sentence.
They were too poor to buy shoes for
the kids.
Her eyes were cruel and hard.

(both British and American)

Move from half open, front vowel

sound to close, front vowel sound.

They
Ray
Pain
Face
Race
Grace
trace

Im playing badminton with Mathew

tomorrow.
The train is coming.
The aliens landed quietly.
Ive made a shopping list.
Have you ever played cricket.
The plane has just landed.
We havent had a party for ages.

a
(both British and American)

Move from open, back vowel sound to

close, front vowel sound.

Tide
Ride
Time
Nice
Rice
Slice
exercise

My arms are aching terribly.

I really needs a rest.
I think you are right.
I like school.
A light was flaming.
Ive just had an idea.
Ive felt really tired for a whole week
now.


(both British and American)

Move from back, half open vowel

sound to close, front vowel sound.

Boy
Roy
Void
Voice
Noise
Joy
toy

The boy enjoying playing with his

toys.
The singers are annoyed by the noise
in the audience.
The royal advisers were loyal.
She dropped the coins into the hole
in the soil.
Dont leave the oil to boil, please.

 (only British)
o (only American)

Move from back, close vowel sound to

half open, central vowel sound.

Go
Home
Most
Ghost
Host

Dont phone before you go to the

puppet show.
Were you home alone?
She said no when asked for a new
stove.
He drove slowly because he was
carrying a heavy load.
I suppose he goes up the road often.

a
(both British and American)

Move from open, back vowel sound to

close, back vowel sound.

Loud
House
Mouse
Now
Out
Cow
sound

The brown mouse found another

house.
How many sounds can the machine
make?
It sounds like the shower is still on.
She was not allowed to make noise.
Mother read a story about how they
found the kings crown.