English pronunciation: Short Vowels - /e/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for short vowels - /e/.

Quick tip

Short vowels are quick and relaxed. Keep your tongue in a central or near-central position.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• bed

• red

• pen

• ten

• get

Minimal pairs

• bed / bad
• pen / pan
• ten / tan
• red / rid
• get / got

How to produce this sound

The /e/ sound is made by opening your mouth slightly and keeping your tongue in the middle, as in 'bed'.

Common mix-ups

• bed / bad
• pen / pan
• ten / tan
• red / rid
• get / got

Closest comparison

bed, red, pen, ten, get