Beginner 🎯 Pronunciation & Mistakes · #57 of 111

Sound: L and R

Tongue tip touches the roof for l, curls back for r.

Examples

  • light / right
  • lock / rock

Key rules

  • For l, the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth
  • For r, the tongue curls back without touching the roof of the mouth
  • The difference is important in pairs such as light and right

Common mistakes

  • light pronounced /raɪt/ → Say /laɪt/ with the tongue tip touching the roof
  • right pronounced /laɪt/ → Say /raɪt/ with the tongue curled back

Use cases

  • Speaking clearly in business
  • Pronouncing names
  • Listening comprehension
💡 Tip: Practise pairs such as lock/rock and light/right, first in isolation, then in sentences.

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