Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a ball. Next to it was a banana and a bee. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a boat and a book. What a great day!
B
B sound /b/
The bouncy voiced partner of P — lips pop with the voice on.
American English pronunciation model · voiced · lips (bilabial) · stop · spellings: b, bb
This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/b/ · Bouncy sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice on · feel the buzz · Airflow
Close your lips, add your voice, then release.
Both lips close, then release with vocal-fold vibration.
Movement 1/3: Lips together
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How to Make the Sound
/b/
Voice switched ON
Put your hand on your throat — you should feel a buzz.
Remember it: Bouncy sound — lips together, voice on.
- Tongue
- The tongue rests in the bottom of the mouth.
- Lips and jaw
- Press both lips together, then release them.
- Air
- A gentle release — much less puff than /p/.
Step by step
- Close your lips.
- Turn your voice on.
- Open your lips with a bounce — b.
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like /p/. Feel the throat buzz together. Try a hum (mmm) and then open the lips into "b".
- Sounds like /m/. Gently pinch the nose: /b/ still works, /m/ stops.
Step up gradually
- 1. Sound on its own
- 2. Syllables
- 3. Words
- 4. Phrases
- 5. Sentences
- 6. Everyday talk
A sound can be easier on its own than in connected speech. Move on only when your child is saying it accurately and feels ready — not just because a worksheet is finished. Read the Parent Guide
1. Sound in isolation
/b/
Lips together, voice on, bounce: b-b-b.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
ba
bee
bo
boo
bi
aba
eeba
oba
ab
eeb
ob
Initial position
ball
/b/ · initial
“my ball”
banana
/b/ · initial
“my banana”
bee
/b/ · initial
“my bee”
boat
/b/ · initial
“my boat”
book
/b/ · initial
“my book”
bear
/b/ · initial
“my bear”
Medial position
baby
/b/ · medial
“my baby”
rabbit
/b/ · medial
“my rabbit”
robot
/b/ · medial
“my robot”
cabbage
/b/ · medial
“my cabbage”
Final position
tub
/b/ · final
“my tub”
web
/b/ · final
“my web”
crab
/b/ · final
“my crab”
cube
/b/ · final
“my cube”
Short phrases
- my ball
- my banana
- my bee
- my boat
- my book
- my bear
- my baby
- my rabbit
- my robot
- my cabbage
- my tub
- my web
Sentences
- I can see the ball.
- I can see the banana.
- I can see the bee.
- I can see the boat.
- I can see the book.
- I can see the bear.
- I can see the baby.
- I can see the rabbit.
- I can see the robot.
- I can see the cabbage.