oratorIQ
← R Blends

R–Consonant Blends

Start with R, then move into the next consonant. Watch the movement, study the still image, and practice the words and phrases.

RL /ɹl/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into L: bring the tongue tip to the ridge behind your upper teeth and let air pass around the sides. For a final L, the back of the tongue can stay raised.

R · no tip contact
Leave a clear gap between the tongue tip and the roof.

L · tip contact
Touch the ridge behind the upper teeth. The orange dot marks the contact.

RL side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into L. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → L. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • girl
  • pearl
  • curl
  • world

Practice phrase

The girl wore a pearl.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

Build it: hold R, then touch for L: “err → earl,” “whirr → whirl.” Keep it in one syllable.

See the still image: R → transition → L
1. English R2. Transition3. L
Three stages of RL: R, transition, then L.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with LTongue tip touches the ridge; air flows around the sides.

RM /ɹm/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into M: close both lips while keeping your voice on. Let the air flow through your nose.

RM side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into M. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → M. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • arm
  • farm
  • warm
  • storm

Practice phrase

Keep your arms warm.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → M
1. English R2. Transition3. M
Three stages of RM: R, transition, then M.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with MLips close; nasal airflow continues.

RN /ɹn/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into N: touch the ridge behind your upper teeth with your tongue tip and send the air through your nose.

RN side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into N. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → N. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • turn
  • corn
  • burn
  • learn

Practice phrase

Turn toward the barn.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → N
1. English R2. Transition3. N
Three stages of RN: R, transition, then N.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with NTongue tip touches the ridge; air flows through the nose.

RP /ɹp/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into P: close both lips, stop voicing, then release the lip closure.

RP side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into P. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → P. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • harp
  • sharp
  • carpet
  • chirp

Practice phrase

A sharp chirp.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → P
1. English R2. Transition3. P
Three stages of RP: R, transition, then P.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with PLips close for a voiceless stop.

RB /ɹb/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into B: bring both lips together for the voiced stop, then release.

RB side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into B. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → B. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • curb
  • verb
  • marble
  • carbon

Practice phrase

A marble by the curb.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → B
1. English R2. Transition3. B
Three stages of RB: R, transition, then B.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with BLips close for B.

RT /ɹt/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into T: touch the ridge behind your upper teeth with your tongue tip and briefly stop the airflow.

RT side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into T. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → T. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • art
  • cart
  • short
  • part

Practice phrase

A short art lesson.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → T
1. English R2. Transition3. T
Three stages of RT: R, transition, then T.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with TTongue tip makes a voiceless stop at the ridge.

RD /ɹd/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into D: touch the ridge behind your upper teeth with your tongue tip for the voiced stop.

RD side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into D. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → D. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • hard
  • card
  • bird
  • word

Practice phrase

Read the word on the card.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → D
1. English R2. Transition3. D
Three stages of RD: R, transition, then D.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with DTongue tip makes a D closure at the ridge.

RK /ɹk/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into K: lift the back of your tongue to the soft palate, stop voicing, then release the closure.

RK side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into K. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → K. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • park
  • work
  • dark
  • market

Practice phrase

Work in the park.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → K
1. English R2. Transition3. K
Three stages of RK: R, transition, then K.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with KTongue back closes against the soft palate for K.

RG /ɹɡ/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into G: lift the back of your tongue to the soft palate for the voiced stop, then release.

RG side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into G. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → G. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • bargain
  • target
  • organ
  • cargo

Practice phrase

The cargo reached its target.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → G
1. English R2. Transition3. G
Three stages of RG: R, transition, then G.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with GTongue back closes against the soft palate for G.

RF /ɹf/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into F: bring your lower lip lightly to your upper teeth, stop voicing and keep the air flowing.

RF side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into F. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → F. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • surf
  • scarf
  • turf
  • perfect

Practice phrase

Wear a scarf.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → F
1. English R2. Transition3. F
Three stages of RF: R, transition, then F.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with FLower lip meets upper teeth; voiceless air flows.

RV /ɹv/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into V: bring your lower lip lightly to your upper teeth and keep your voice and airflow going.

RV side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into V. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → V. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • curve
  • serve
  • nerve
  • harvest

Practice phrase

Serve the harvest soup.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → V
1. English R2. Transition3. V
Three stages of RV: R, transition, then V.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with VLower lip meets upper teeth; voiced air flows.

RS /ɹs/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into S: bring the tongue toward the ridge without sealing it and send a narrow stream of voiceless air through the middle.

RS side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into S. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → S. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • horse
  • purse
  • nurse
  • course

Practice phrase

The nurse has a purse.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → S
1. English R2. Transition3. S
Three stages of RS: R, transition, then S.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with STongue makes a narrow air channel for S.

RZ /ɹz/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into Z: make a narrow air channel near the ridge and keep your voice on. The letter s represents /z/ in these examples.

RZ side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into Z. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → Z. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • cars
  • stars
  • yours
  • stairs

Practice phrase

The cars are yours.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → Z
1. English R2. Transition3. Z
Three stages of RZ: R, transition, then Z.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with ZTongue makes a narrow air channel with voicing.

RTH /ɹθ/

R-first combinations ↑

Move from R into voiceless TH: bring your tongue tip lightly to your teeth and let air flow without voicing.

RTH side-view sequence: start with R, move directly into TH. Follow the tongue and lip placement described above.
Human side view · R → TH. Three illustrated stages, played slowly.

Practice words

  • earth
  • north
  • worth
  • birthday

Practice phrase

Travel north on your birthday.

Say the words slowly, then try the phrase at a comfortable speaking pace.

See the still image: R → transition → TH
1. English R2. Transition3. TH
Three stages of RTH: R, transition, then TH.
  1. 1. Start with RShape the tongue for R without touching the roof.
  2. 2. Move directlyKeep the sounds connected with no extra vowel.
  3. 3. Finish with THTongue tip approaches the teeth for TH.