Vowels that stay long before two consonants

1. 1
   child/tʃaɪld/

   noun

   A young person who isn't grown up yet.
2. 2
   host/hoʊst/

   noun

   The person who has guests over.
3. 3
   pint/paɪnt/

   noun

   A US liquid measure of sixteen ounces.
4. 4
   mild/maɪld/

   adjective

   Not very strong.
5. 5
   old/oʊld/

   adjective

   Having lived a long time.
6. 6
   cold/koʊld/

   adjective

   At a low temperature, or feeling that way.
7. 7
   find/faɪnd/

   verb

   Discover something after looking for it.
8. 8
   remind/riːˈmaɪnd/

   verb

   Make someone remember something.
9. 9
   climb/klaɪm/

   verb

   Go up toward the top of something.
10. 10
    almost/ˈɔːlˌmoʊst/

    adverb

    Very nearly.

The sentences

1. I was a shy child, just like you.

2. Our host made all of this food herself.

3. Is there a whole pint of milk in that?

4. Don't worry, the salsa is mild, you'll like it.

5. I'm old enough to remember when you were born.

6. Your soup is getting cold, so eat up.

7. Can you find the salt for me, please?

8. Remind me how old your little brother is.

9. Do you still climb the big tree outside?

10. It's almost time for dessert, so finish up.

Pronunciation

• pint/paɪnt/

  The i sounds like the one in "pine", so it doesn't rhyme with "mint".

• climb/klaɪm/

  No b sound at the end: /klaɪm/.

• almost/ˈɔːlˌmoʊst/

  It starts with "all", not the "al" in "Alice".

Good to know

family dinner

An invitation to a family dinner is a warm gesture, and showing up on time is expected. Bringing a small dessert or a bottle of wine is a common way to say thanks.

small talk with kids

Kids at the table often ask direct, curious questions to guests. Answering them warmly is normal and expected, even if the questions feel personal.

second helpings

A host offering more food is common, and saying yes to a little more is usually appreciated. It's fine to say you're full.

clearing the table

Guests sometimes offer to help clear plates after the meal. Hosts often decline the first offer, so a light insistence is normal.

Questions

What do you say if the soup is getting cold?

You can say "Your soup is getting cold, so eat up," using cold for a low temperature.

What does it mean to remind someone?

To remind someone is to make them remember something, as in "Remind me how old your little brother is."

How do you say climb without the b sound?

Climb is said /klaɪm/, with no b sound at the end.