r sound

Rule Core

R-controlled vowels occur when a vowel is followed by r, causing the vowel’s original sound to shift. The r dominates the syllable, blending with the vowel into a single, stable sound rather than a clear /r/.

Articulation Guide

Lift and slightly retract the tongue tip without touching the palate. Keep the lips relaxed and let the airflow move smoothly through the center of the mouth. Control is more important than strong curling.

Word Analysis

• person: er sounds /ɜːr/; the short e disappears into a unified r-colored vowel.
• rear: ea becomes /ɪr/, not a long /iː/.

Pitfall Alert

Learners often over-separate the vowel and /r/. In unstressed syllables, er / ir / ur usually merge into the same sound.