Minimal pairs are words that sound the same apart from one sound. The only difference between pair /pԑː/ and bear /bԑː/ is the initial consonant sound.
Comparison Words (minimal pairs in the order /p/ - /b/) 1 pair - bear 2 pit - bit 3 pan - ban 4 plays - blaze 5 preach - breach 7 staple - stable 9 6 repel - rebel 8 rip - rib
Potentially Embarrassing Mix-Ups (minimal pairs in the order /p/ - /b/) 1 ! pee – be
3 ! porn - born 2 pitch - ! bitch 5 putt - ! butt 4 pressed - ! breast 6 ! poo - boo cap - cab 10 pig pen – Big Ben
7 ! nipple - nibble 8 ! crap - crab
Words with /p/ and /b/ abrupt, backup, biceps, payable, probably, problem, public, publish, webpage
Phrases (minimal pairs – not necessarily in the order /p/ - /b/)
1 pushed in the bush 3 the postman boasted 5 the peers drank beer 7 a simple symbol 2 backed the pact
4 the bouncer pounced 6 the bride’s pride Sentences (minimal pairs – not necessarily in the order /p/ - /b/)
1 Pete put beetroot in his backpack. 2 I betmy pet dog will bark in the park. 3 Poppy and Bobby bonded by the pond. 4 Benny sold a peach for a penny on the beach. 5 Paul and Betty were petty about who could use their ball. 6 The cop took his pup into the pub and bought a port and a corn-on-the-cob.