Lesson 3 of 6

V and W

Make "very" and "wary" sound completely different.

10 minLevel A2–B1

In Urdu and Hindi, one sound (و / व) covers both V and W, so many learners use a sound in between. In English these are two different sounds, and mixing them changes words: vine/wine, vest/west, veil/whale.

LearnThe key ideas

Two different mouth shapes

V: rest your top teeth gently on your lower lip and push air through with a buzz. You should feel your lip vibrate.

W: round your lips into a small circle like you're about to say "oo", then open them into the next vowel. Your teeth don't touch your lips at all.

Minimal pairs

V (teeth on lip)W (round lips)
vinewine
vestwest
verseworse
vetwet

ListenListen and repeat

  • very wellTeeth on lip, then round lips.
  • We have a van.W, V, V.
  • I'll wait for the video.W in "wait", V in "video".
  • What a wonderful view!Three Ws, then one V.

AvoidCommon mistakes

"wery" for "very"✓ very (teeth on lip)If your teeth don't touch your lip, it isn't a V.
"vet" for "wet"✓ wet (round lips)W has no teeth contact.
One in-between sound for both✓ Two clear soundsExaggerate the difference while practising.

SpeakShadowing practice

Press Listen, then repeat straight away, copying the speed, rhythm and tone. Say each sentence three times, then record yourself.

  • We visited a very wide valley.
  • The weather was wonderful on vacation.
  • Will you vote on Wednesday or wait until November?
Record the sentences above and compare with the audio.

CheckQuick quiz

1. For V, you should:

2. For W, your teeth:

3. Which pair shows the V/W difference?

PracticeToday's speaking task

Practise in front of a mirror: vine/wine, vest/west, verse/worse, vet/wet. Watch your lips and teeth. Then record the three practice sentences.

← The Two TH Sounds