/ɛ/as in “bed”

Vowel

How to pronounce /ɛ/ in English

The /ɛ/ sound is a low-mid, relaxed, front vowel.

Low-mid
Relaxed
Front

Jaw
Open your mouth partially.
Tongue
Relax your tongue, place it just below midline, and push it forward.
Lips
Stretch your lips slightly and keep them relaxed.

Note: The tip of your tongue can also be placed just behind your bottom front teeth.

Example words

bed
red
said
many
head
friend

Common mistakes

Bad or bed

/æ/ came out as /ɛ/: "bad" sounded like "bed". Open your jaw wider.
/æ/ came out as an open "a". Keep the tongue forward and spread your lips.
/ɛ/ came out as /æ/: "bed" sounded like "bad". Close your jaw a little.

How to practise

/æ/: drop your jaw lower than for /ɛ/, spread your lips, keep the tongue flat at the front.
Start from the /ɛ/ of "bed", then open your jaw wider.

Easily confused words

bad · bed
man · men
sad · said
had · head
pan · pen

Practise /ɛ/ with Letty

Say any sentence and Letty scores every sound, showing which one to fix. On iPhone, iPad and Mac, no internet needed.

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