Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a dog. Next to it was a duck and a door. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a dinosaur and a doughnut. What a great day!
D
D sound /d/
The voiced partner of T — a tongue-tip tap with the voice on.
American English pronunciation model · voiced · tongue tip (alveolar) · stop · spellings: d, dd, ed
This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/d/ · Drum sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice on · feel the buzz · Airflow
Tongue up at the ridge; release with your voice.
The tongue contacts the alveolar ridge, with vocal-fold vibration.
Movement 1/3: Tip meets ridge
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How to Make the Sound
/d/
Voice switched ON
Put your hand on your throat — you should feel a buzz.
Remember it: Drum sound — tongue tip taps with the voice on.
- Tongue
- The tongue tip presses on the ridge behind the top front teeth, just like /t/.
- Lips and jaw
- Lips relaxed; jaw slightly open.
- Air
- A gentle release with the voice on.
Step by step
- Tongue tip up on the ridge.
- Turn your voice on.
- Drop the tongue — d.
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like /g/ ("go" for "doe"). Show the tongue tip lifting at the front. Practise /t/ first if that is easier.
- Sounds like /t/. Feel the throat buzz together.
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
/d/
Tongue tip taps, voice on: d-d-d.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
da
dee
do
doo
di
ada
eeda
oda
ad
eed
od
Initial position
dog
/d/ · initial
“my dog”
duck
/d/ · initial
“my duck”
door
/d/ · initial
“my door”
dinosaur
/d/ · initial
“my dinosaur”
doughnut
/d/ · initial
“my doughnut”
Medial position
window
/d/ · medial
“my window”
candy
/d/ · medial
“my candy”
panda
/d/ · medial
“my panda”
lady
/d/ · medial
“my lady”
Final position
bed
/d/ · final
“my bed”
bird
/d/ · final
“my bird”
bread
/d/ · final
“my bread”
cloud
/d/ · final
“my cloud”
road
/d/ · final
“my road”
Short phrases
- my dog
- my duck
- my door
- my dinosaur
- my doughnut
- my window
- my candy
- my panda
- my lady
- my bed
- my bird
- my bread
Sentences
- I can see the dog.
- I can see the duck.
- I can see the door.
- I can see the dinosaur.
- I can see the doughnut.
- I can see the window.
- I can see the candy.
- I can see the panda.
- I can see the lady.
- I can see the bed.