Keyword NEAR
/ɪə/as in “here”
How to make it
- Start with the "i" of "sit".
- Glide to the relaxed "uh" of "about".
- Do not add an r.
Common mistake
Adding an r ("heer") or saying a long "ee". Americans say "here" as the "i" of "sit" plus r.
In words
Listen at normal speed or slowly, then say it yourself.
- here
- near
- idea
US and UK
British English
/ɪə/
American English
—
American English doesn't have /ɪə/ as a separate sound.
The vowels in "here", "hair" and "tour"
British English glides into a relaxed "uh" (here, hair, tour); American English uses a plain vowel followed by r. Many British speakers also say "sure" and "tour" with the "or" of "more".
| American | British | |
|---|---|---|
| here | /hɪr/ | /hɪə/ |
| hair | /her/ | /heə/ |
| tour | /tʊr/ | /tʊə/ |