al sound

Rule Core

The al sound typically refers to the letter combination al pronounced as /ɔːl/ when it appears in a stressed syllable followed by a consonant. In this environment, a does not keep its short /æ/ sound; instead, it blends with l to form a broad vowel plus lateral consonant.

Articulation Guide

Retract and slightly raise the tongue toward the back vowel /ɔː/. Lips are gently rounded. Maintain steady airflow, finishing with a clear alveolar /l/ as the tongue tip touches the gum ridge.

Word Analysis

alternate /ˈɔːltərneɪt/: stressed al produces a stable /ɔːl/. alternative /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/: the prefix al- follows the same phonetic logic.

Pitfalls

Do not confuse al=/ɔːl/ with a+l=/æl/. Context and stress are decisive; not every al spelling yields the long sound.