Reference

Everyday words where one sound changes the meaning

In these words, one wrong sound makes listeners hear a different word or a different number. Say the version in the 'Say it like this' column; the Rule column shows where each sound is explained.

Word	Say it like this	If you say	Listeners may hear	Rule
little	li-təl	li-dəl or li-rəl	a word they don't recognise	Rule 1
litre	lii-tə	lii-də	leader	Rule 1
writing	rai-ting	rai-ding	riding	Rule 1
putting	pu-ting	pu-ding	pudding	Rule 1
metal	me-təl	me-dəl	medal	Rule 1
thirty	thəə-ti	thər-di	a word they don't recognise	Rule 1
thirteen	thəə-tiin	thəə-tin	thirty	Rule 2
fourteen	foo-tiin	foo-tin	forty	Rule 2
right	rait	lait	light	Rule 3
correct	kə-rekt	kə-lekt	collect	Rule 3
work	wəək	wook	walk	Rule 4
hot	hot	haat	heart	Rule 5
not	not	nat	nut	Rule 5
can't	kaant	kan	can	Rule 6
sheep	shiip	ship	ship	Rule 6
leave	liiv	liv	live	Rule 6

Words such as tomato, schedule or the letter Z are said differently in American and Standard English, but listeners understand either version, so this guide leaves them out.