voiceless f
Core Rule
The voiceless f sound is /f/, a voiceless labiodental fricative. Air passes between the upper teeth and lower lip without vocal cord vibration. It is highly consistent across positions.
Articulation Guide
Touch the lower lip lightly to the upper teeth, keep the mouth relaxed, and push air continuously.
Word Analysis
fight begins with /f/ followed by the diphthong /aɪ/; food pairs /f/ with long /uː/.
Pitfalls
Do not confuse /f/ with voiced /v/. The spelling ph often represents /f/.
Phonics Breakdown
Upper teeth touch lower lip; steady air, no voicing
Sound Reference
- Check for no throat vibration
- Sustain airflow before the vowel
Common Mistakes
Voicing /f/ as /v/
Ignoring /f/ spelled as ph