Pronunciation practice: the difference between / r / and / l /

Practice the following pairs:

led red
The guide led us to the famous church.
Roses are red, violets are blue.

lead read
Lead is a heavy metal.
Have you read the newspaper?

lamb ram
A young sheep is a lamb.
An old male sheep is a ram.

low row
Is the chair too low for you?
Can you row a boat?

late rate
We should go home — it’s getting late.
The interest rate is 6 percent.

lane rain
A lane is a small street.
I think it’s going to rain.

light right
This suitcase is very light.
When you get to the corner, turn right.

long wrong
How long have you lived in Japan?
There’s something wrong with my car.

rice lice
Do you like rice?
This dog has lice.

race lace
Which horse won the race?
How much is the lace table cloth?

lip rip
My father cut his lip while he was shaving.
She has a rip in her dress.

lap rap
The cat is sitting on my lap.
Some young people like loud rap music.

fly fry
We will fly to New York next week.
I will fry the fish in butter with some herbs.

flight fright
How was your flight?
The loud noise gave me a fright.

correct collect
Can you correct my English essay, please?
My brother likes to collect stamps.

elect erect
France has elected a new president.
A new building was erected next to the Post Office.

pilot pirate
Her husband is an airline pilot.
Have you seen the movie Pirates of the Caribbean?

play pray
Can you play golf?
We go to the temple to pray.

clean cream
I have to clean my room today.
Would you like cream in your coffee?

flute fruit
She plays the flute?
What’s your favourite fruit?


A poem by Robbie Burns

O my love is like a red, red rose.
that’s newly sprung in June.
O my love is like a melody
that’s sweetly played in tune.

As fair thou art, my bonnie lass,
so deep in love am I,
and I will love thee still my dear,
till all the seas gang dry.