Pronunciation · Minimal pairs · medium functional load
/ɔː/ vs /ɜː/: walk vs work
In short
The rounded back /ɔː/ and the neutral central /ɜː/ separate walk/work, born/burn and warm/worm, a pair of long vowels that learners very often collapse into one. This contrast carries a MEDIUM functional load, the contrast separates a fair number of word pairs, so it is worth systematic practice once the high-load contrasts are stable.
How to hear (and make) the difference
/ɔː/ has firm lip rounding; /ɜː/ has NONE; lips completely relaxed, tongue flat in the centre. If your lips are round on 'work', it will come out as 'walk'.
Most challenging for Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Bengali, Arabic speakers.
8 minimal pairs with audio
- walkwɔːkworkwɜːk
- torntɔːnturntɜːn
- bornbɔːnburnbɜːn
- fourfɔːfurfɜː
- warmwɔːmwormwɜːm
- shortʃɔːtshirtʃɜːt
- formfɔːmfirmfɜːm
- wardwɔːdwordwɜːd
Test your ear
Listening drill
/ɔː/ vs /ɜː/: walk vs work
/ɔː/ has firm lip rounding; /ɜː/ has NONE; lips completely relaxed, tongue flat in the centre. If your lips are round on 'work', it will come out as 'walk'.
The contrast in sentences
I walk every morning.
I work every morning.
This form looks official.
This firm looks official.
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between walk and work?
walk /wɔːk/ uses the /ɔː/ sound while work /wɜːk/ uses /ɜː/. /ɔː/ has firm lip rounding; /ɜː/ has NONE; lips completely relaxed, tongue flat in the centre. If your lips are round on 'work', it will come out as 'walk'.
Which learners find the /ɔː/ vs /ɜː/ contrast hardest?
It is most challenging for Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Bengali, Arabic speakers, whose first languages don't separate these two sounds.