Lips
Start slightly spread, as for "ih", then relax to neutral as the r takes over. The diagram shows the spread start.
R-coloured vowels · American English
/ɪr/as in near
The American "near" vowel: a short "ih" gliding into the r colour. Unlike the British version, this ends on a real r, not a weak "uh".
Example words: near, here, beer, year, ear
Mouth
How do you pronounce the /ɪr/ sound?
Tongue
Start high-front. Then curl the tip up and back, or bunch the mid-tongue, into the r. The tip never touches the roof of the mouth.
Length
Medium. The "ih" is quick; the r colour can be held and often carries the ending.
Video lesson
Try it
- Start a short, clear "ih" with slightly spread lips.
- While the voice continues, curl or bunch the tongue into the r.
- Hold the r shape without any contact: it floats.
- Try it in words: near, here, beer.
Check
Say "beer" and hold the last sound. You should be able to sustain a clear "errrr" at the end. If the ending is a soft "uh" you can't hold, the r is missing.
Common trap
Dropping the r so "here" ends on a weak "uh" (that is the British version, not this one), or tapping and trilling the tongue.
Practice: /ɪr/
Words
nearnˌɪɹ
herehˈɪɹ
beerbˈɪɹ
yearjˈɪɹ
earˈɪɹ
Sentences
Come here, we're really near the beach.kˈʌm hˈɪɹ, wɪɹ ɹˈiəli nˌɪɹ ðə bˈitʃ.
I hear music from somewhere near here.ˌaɪ hˈɪɹ mjˈuzɪk fɹʌm sˈʌmhwˌɛɹ nˌɪɹ hˈɪɹ.
We cheered loudly at the end of the year.wˌi tʃˈɪɹd lˈaʊdli æt ði ˈɛnd ʌv ðə jˈɪɹ.
A deer appeared near the river.ɐ dˈɪɹ əpˈɪɹd nˌɪɹ ðə ɹˈɪvəɹ.
Her birthday is near the new year.hˌɜɹ bˈɜɹθdˌeɪ ɪz nˌɪɹ ðə nˈu jˈɪɹ.
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Sounds in the same group
Is /ɪr/ one of yours?
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