Vowels that a following R changesExit

01/10words

Word 1

learn

/lɜːrn/verb

To come to know something new.

The EAR here is the sound in her, not in ear.

Word 1Sentence 1 of 1

learn/lɜːrn/verb

I want to learn a little every day.

Word 2

hear

/hiːr/verb

To take in a sound.

Word 2Sentence 1 of 1

hear/hiːr/verb

Did you hear what the guard said?

Word 3

world

/wɜːrld/noun

The earth and everybody on it.

Word 3Sentence 1 of 1

world/wɜːrld/noun

This is the best coffee in the world.

Word 4

purpose

/ˈpɜːrpəs/noun

The reason something is done.

Both syllables have the R vowel: PUR-pes.

Word 4Sentence 1 of 1

purpose/ˈpɜːrpəs/noun

What is the purpose of this form?

Word 5

certain

/ˈsɜːrtən/adjective

Sure, with no doubt.

Two syllables: SER-tn. The AI does nothing.

Word 5Sentence 1 of 1

certain/ˈsɜːrtən/adjective

I am not certain about the time.

Word 6

market

/ˈmɑːrkət/noun

A place where things are bought and sold.

The AR is the long open vowel, as in car.

Word 6Sentence 1 of 1

market/ˈmɑːrkət/noun

The market opens early on weekends.

Word 7

border

/ˈbɔːrdər/noun

The line between two countries.

The OR is the vowel in more, twice over.

Word 7Sentence 1 of 1

border/ˈbɔːrdər/noun

We crossed the border after midnight.

Word 8

nurse

/nɜːrs/noun

Somebody who looks after sick people.

Same vowel as learn and world, spelled a fourth way.

Word 8Sentence 1 of 1

nurse/nɜːrs/noun

The nurse will see you before the doctor.

Word 9

prepare

/priːˈper/verb

To get something ready.

The ARE is the sound in air: pre-PAIR.

Word 9Sentence 1 of 1

prepare/priːˈper/verb

How long do I need to prepare?

Word 10

compare

/kəmˈper/verb

To look at two things side by side.

Rhymes with prepare, not with car.

Word 10Sentence 1 of 1

compare/kəmˈper/verb

Let me compare the two prices first.