ShortConsonant contrast
D vs T Sounds Minimal Pairs
/d/ and /t/ pronunciation, listening, and reading practice
/d/ and /t/ share one tongue position. Listen for voicing and, at the beginning of a stressed word, the stronger air release of /t/.
Produce both sounds accurately
What changes in the mouth?
D
Touch the ridge behind the upper teeth and use the voice.
T
Use the same tongue contact, release air, and keep the voice off.
Accuracy note: Final /d/ and /t/ may be released very lightly, but the contrast is still carried by voicing and the vowel timing before them.
11 reviewed contrasts
Listen to the minimal pairs
Play both words in a row. First decide whether they sound the same or different; then repeat each word without adding an extra vowel.
Interactive practice
Listen and choose
Hear one word, then select the word you heard. Complete six questions and replay whenever you need to.
Listen carefully, then choose.
Meaning in context
Read both sounds in sentences
1Dan took the train to town.
2Put the seed on the seat.
3The wide hat is on the bed.
4Dip the tip in red paint.
Read once slowly for accuracy, then reread at a natural pace. Ask the learner to point to each target word and explain its meaning.
Deliberate practice
A five-minute teaching routine
Play four words and ask the learner to identify sound A or sound B.
Reveal the pair, say both words, and check the mouth cue above.
Read one sentence and discuss how changing the sound changes the word.
Touch the throat. It vibrates during /d/ but not during /t/.
Offline review
Print this sound contrast lesson
The print view includes the mouth cues, reviewed pairs, accuracy note, sentences, and practice routine.