IPA: /ɪ/ Sound – The "short i"
The /ɪ/ sound is a short, near-front, close vowel often called the "short i" sound in English. It is higher than /ɛ/ (as in "bed") but lower than /i/ (as in "see"). This vowel is pronounced with the tongue positioned close to the roof of the mouth but not as high as the long "ee" sound (/i/).
❓How to Know if It's the /ɪ/ Sound:
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Tongue Position: The tongue is high and near the front of the mouth, but slightly lower than for /i/.
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Letter Pattern: Found in words with "i" in short syllables (e.g., "bit," "sit") or in unstressed syllables (e.g., "basket").
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Pronunciation: This is a short, relaxed vowel, unlike the tense /i/ sound in "tree."
🔊Sample Words with the /ɪ/ Sound:
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Bit
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Sit
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Fit
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Hill
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Pick
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Win
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Six
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Milk
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Chicken
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Little
📝 Simple Sentences with /ɪ/:
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I will sit on the chair.
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She took a big bite of the apple.
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The hill is too steep to climb.
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He drank a glass of milk.
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The little cat ran up the tree.
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We have six apples in the basket.
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He picked the red flower.
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Can you fix this broken chair?
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The chicken is in the kitchen.
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She wants to win the game.
🔁 Tongue Twisters with /ɪ/:
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Six sick chicks sit on thick sticks.
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Big pigs pick pink figs.
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Billy’s little kitten bit his mitten.
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Quick Rick clicks the slick brick.
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A thin twin spins in a tin bin.
📖 A Short Story with /ɪ/:
The Little Kitten and the Hill
Lily had a little kitten named Pip. One day, Pip saw a big butterfly and started to chase it up a hill.
"Come back, Pip!" Lily called. But Pip was too quick. He ran past the milk shop, past a chicken in the yard, and up the hill.
Lily ran after him, but the hill was steep. Finally, Pip stopped under a thick tree. He looked at Lily with his little green eyes and purred.
"You gave me a big scare!" Lily said, picking him up. Pip just licked her hand, happy to be in her arms again.
From that day on, Lily made sure to keep a close pick on Pip whenever he went outside.
