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Question

Difficulty: MediumConsonant Sounds

Complete the statement by identifying the correct phonetic symbol for the consonant sound in each word.

Answer:In the preposition 'of', the consonant letter 'f' represents the voiced labiodental fricative /【v】/, whereas in the word 'off', the double letter 'ff' represents the voiceless labiodental fricative /【f】/.

Answer

The consonant sound in 'of' is represented by the phonetic symbol /v/, and the sound in 'off' is represented by /f/.
The letter 'f' in the word 'of' is realized phonetically as the voiced fricative /v/, whereas the double letter 'ff' in 'off' corresponds to the voiceless fricative /f/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the phonetic realization of the letter 'f' in the word 'of'.
The letter 'f' in 'of' is pronounced with vocal cord vibration, making it the voiced labiodental fricative /v/.
English orthography uses the letter 'f' in 'of' as an exceptional spelling for the voiced sound /v/.
2
Examine the phonetic realization of the letters 'ff' in the word 'off'.
The letters 'ff' in 'off' are pronounced without vocal cord vibration, producing the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/.
The digraph 'ff' reliably represents the voiceless consonant sound /f/.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Consonant Contrast and Orthographic Exceptions
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Topics

Consonant Sounds

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