Learning to tell the difference between /t/ and /θ/ is essential for clear English pronunciation. This post shows you how to pronounce these sounds correctly, with simple tips and real-word examples.
How to Distinguish the /t/ vs. /θ/ Sounds?
What Are /t/ and /θ/?
| Sound | How to Make It |
|---|---|
| /t/ | Voiceless alveolar stop. The tip of your tongue touches the ridge just behind your upper front teeth (the alveolar ridge) and completely blocks the air. When you release, you hear a sharp sound. Your vocal cords do not vibrate. Example: ten. |
| /θ/ | Voiceless dental fricative. Your tongue lightly touches your upper front teeth. Air flows between your tongue and teeth, creating a soft hissing sound. Your vocal cords do not vibrate. Example: thin. |
How to Pronounce /t/ vs. /θ/
/t/
-
Place the tip of your tongue on the ridge just behind your upper teeth.
-
Block the air completely.
-
Release quickly to make a crisp, sharp sound.
-
No vibration in your throat.
Refer to this image to visualize how to form your mouth for /t/.
Let’s listen to a recording of the /t/ sound and hear it used in “top.”
/θ/
-
Stick the tip of your tongue lightly against your upper front teeth.
-
Let the air flow gently between your tongue and teeth.
-
No vocal cord vibration.
Use this diagram as a guide to place your tongue and lips correctly for /θ/.
Press play to hear the /θ/ vowel alone and inside the example word “thing.”
Minimal Pairs /t/ vs. /θ/ with Example Sentences
ten / thin:
- She counted to ten quickly.
- The ice was very thin.
tick / thick:
- I heard a loud tick from the clock.
- The book is very thick.
tank / thank:
- The fish are in the tank.
- Please thank your teacher.
Minimal Pair /t/ and /θ/ List
| /t/ Words | /θ/ Words |
|---|---|
| ten /tɛn/ | thin /θɪn/ |
| tick /tɪk/ | thick /θɪk/ |
| taught /tɔːt/ | thought /θɔːt/ |
| tank /tæŋk/ | thank /θæŋk/ |
| tore /tɔː/ | thor /θɔː/ |
| bat /bæt/ | bath /bɑːθ/ |
| mate /meɪt/ | math /mæθ/ |
| ate /eɪt/ | eighth /eɪθ/ |
| pat /pæt/ | path /pɑːθ/ |
| late /leɪt/ | method /ˈmɛθəd/ |
| tin /tɪn/ | teeth /tiːθ/ |
| tight /taɪt/ | thigh /θaɪ/ |
| tip /tɪp/ | theft /θɛft/ |
| tail /teɪl/ | theme /θiːm/ |
| time /taɪm/ | thesis /ˈθiːsɪs/ |
| ties /taɪz/ | theater /ˈθiːətə/ |
| tickle /ˈtɪkl/ | thistle /ˈθɪsl/ |
| tack /tæk/ | cloth /klɒθ/ |
| take /teɪk/ | both /boʊθ/ |
| tell /tɛl/ | beneath /bɪˈniːθ/ |
| tile /taɪl/ | wrath /ræθ/ |
| tap /tæp/ | froth /frɒθ/ |
| tape /teɪp/ | oath /oʊθ/ |
| ticket /ˈtɪkɪt/ | sloth /slɒθ/ |
| tablet /ˈtæblət/ | python /ˈpaɪθən/ |