How to tell /k/ and /g/ apart
Practice the difference between the voiceless stop /k/ and the voiced stop /g/.
/k/
Voiceless K
cap /kæp/
A voiceless velar stop released with a puff of air.
Common mistake: Learners may voice /k/, making cap sound like gap.
/g/
Voiced G
gap /ɡæp/
A voiced velar stop with the voice on.
Common mistake: Learners may devoice /g/, making gap sound like cap.
- •/k/ is voiceless: cap, coat, back.
- •/g/ is voiced: gap, goat, bag.
- •/k/ has a puff of air.
- •Touch your throat — /g/ vibrates.
Minimal pairs
cap/kæp/
gap/ɡæp/
coat/kəʊt/
goat/ɡəʊt/
back/bæk/
bag/bæɡ/