Consonants: /p/ vs /b/

Pronunciation LessonSpeaking & Listening Class

Ms. Quinones

Consonant Sounds of the Day

/p/ - as in “pie,” “tapped,” and “map”

/b/ - as in “buy,” “grabbed,” and “tub”

Commonly Confused Sounds

/p/ and /b/ are often confused with each other /p/ for /b/ = “pear’ for ‘bear’

/b/ for /p/ = ‘beach’ for ‘peach’

/p/ is sometimes confused with /f/ /p/ for /f/ = ‘peer’ for ‘fear’

/f/ for /p/ = ‘for’ for ‘poor’

/b/ is sometimes confused with /v/ /b/ for /v/ = ‘berry’ for ‘very’

/v/ for /b/ = ‘veer’ for ‘beer’

Production Both sounds are produced with the lips

pressed together to stop air flow and then releasing the air in a short puff.

The main difference is voicing. /p/= voiceless (no vocal chords vibrating)

/b/= voiced (vocal chords vibrating)

Individual Practice /p/

Piper repeated the peppy parade rap. Practicing paid off when the promoter appeared.

/b/ Ben beat Betsey at Scrabble, but Ruben

belittled and berated Robin after he beat her at Boggle.

Now Try Them Together

Peter paid the tab at Patty’s Pub for appreciative patrons.

Bob bought a tub of pricey peanuts to compete with Peter’s proud purchase.

Both paid a pretty pound before the big party wrapped up.

Additional Practice1. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

2. Bobby Poppy beeped at Poppy Bobby because Poppy bumped Bobby.

3. Professor Bear prefers crab to shrimp, but Professor Pearl prefers beef.

4. Practice precisely before you perform.