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Minimal Pairs

A minimal pair is, two words, that differ only in one sound.
In Phonology, minimal pairs are pairs of words or phrases in a particular language that differ in only one phonological element. Such as a phoneme, phone and have distinct meaning. They are used to demonstrate that two phones are two separate phonemes in the language.

Minimal Set:

A set of distinct words in a language which differ in only one or a limited number of phonological elements. If there are two words in the set, it is a minimal pair. A minimal set is used to demonstrate that the phonological element under consideration is phonemic, that it has contrastive function in determining meaning.

Vowel sounds:

Minimal pairs /I/ and /i:/     sit        seat
Minimal pairs /e/ and /I/    desk     disk 
Minimal pairs /e/ and /eI/   wet      wait
Minimal pairs /æ/and /ʌ/     bat       but
Minimal pairs /əʊ/ and /ɔː/  so       saw

Minimal pairs /ɒ/ and /əʊ/  not     note
Minimal pairs /æ/ and /e/    bad     bed
Minimal pairs /ɑː/ and /ɜː/  fast     first

Consonant sounds:


Minimal pairs  /b/ and /v/   berry   very
Minimal pairs  /b/ and /p/   buy     pie
Minimal pairs  /n/ and / /   thin     thing

Minimal pairs  /l/ and /r/    alive     arrive

Minimal pairs  /tʃ/ and /t/   catch    cat    
Minimal pairs  /s/ and /ʃ/    sea        she

Minimal pairs  /f/ and /v/    fan       van
Minimal pairs  /f/ and /h/    fat        hat  

Minimal pairs  /f/ and /θ/    free      three 
Minimal pairs  /s/ and /θ/    sink     think
Minimal pairs  /ð/ and /z/    with    whizz 
Minimal pairs  /dʒ/ and /z/   page   pays
Minimal pairs  /d/ and /dz/   bad    badge 

Initial Consonant Sounds:

Minimal pairs initial  /f/ and /p/      fast     past
Minimal pairs initial  /k/ and /g/     came  game
Minimal pairs initial /t/ and /d/      two      do

Final Consonant Sounds:

Minimal pairs final /k/ and /g/     back   bag
Minimal pairs final /m/ and /n/    am      an
Minimal pairs final /t/ and /d/      hat      had

 













 



 

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