Minimal Pair /f/ and /θ/
as in free and three
Below is a list of words that vary only by one having the consonant sound /f/ and the other having the consonant sound /θ/ in its place.
You can use this list to practise the sounds, or as a list of words to be careful in pronouncing.
Both sounds are unvoiced, meaning that you can make the sound just by blowing out air without needing to use your voice. /f/ has the same mouth position as the voiced sound /v/, with the top teeth on the bottom lip and the tongue inside the mouth. /θ/ has the mouth more open with the tongue between the teeth or even poking out of the mouth. You can practise /θ/ by making sure your tongue touches a finger placed on your lips when you say the words below.
Elementary
free three
Pre-Intermediate
deaf death
fought thought
four thaw
Intermediate
fin thin
first thirst
for thaw
fresh thresh
freeze threes
fro throw
froze throws
Upper-Intermediate
fief thief
firm Therm
fort thought
frill thrill
furred third
Advanced
duff doth
fang thang
fawn thorn
fore thaw
fret threat
frieze threes
fug thug
oaf oath
trough troth
