Pronouncing American English: the W and V sounds

Pronunciation errors on the "w" and "v" sounds are common for those with a variety of language backgrounds.  For most, learning how to clearly differentiate the two sounds is an important step in pronouncing them correctly.  These sounds can be distinctly identified and produced by how they are formed with the mouth.

The American W

The American V

The American W is made with pursed, rounded lips.  The lips should have no contact with the teeth.  Make sure your lower lip protrudes as much as your upper lip as you make this sound.

Use the recording below to try making the w sound in the syllables wah, wee, woo, why and woah.

The American V is made with the top teeth touching the lower lip.  Lips should not round.  Make sure you can feel your teeth against your bottom lip as you make this sound.


Use the recording below to try making the v sound in the syllables vah, vee, voo, vai and vo.

Next, try these minimal pair words with w and v.  Make a clear distinction between rounded lips w, and lip on teeth v. Practice with the recording below.

wet    vet
wary    very
worse    verse
wine    vine
wiper    viper
west    vest
wheel    veal
whale    veil
rowing    roving
while    vile
whim    vim
wiser    visor
went    vent
wow    vow
Walt     vault