MINIMAL PAIRS

Minimal pair is a pair of words that differ in a single phoneme. Minimal pairs are often used to show that two sounds contrast in a language. For example, we can demonstrate that [s] and [z] contrast in English by adducing minimal pairs such as sip and zip, or bus and buzz. Since the only difference in these words is the [s] vs. [z], we conclude that they belong to distinct phonemes. However, a similar test would show that [a:j] and [Aj] are distinct phonemes in English, since writer and rider appear to be minimal pairs distinguished in their second elements, not their fourth.

Spelling		Pronunciation
cat - bat	Yes, a minimal pair!	-	only k and b are different
wide - wise	Yes, a minimal pair!	-	only d and z are different
ride - road	Yes, a minimal pair!	-	only and are different. Remember, these are two different diphthongs. Diphthongs are single phonemes, although they are written with two symbols.
kite - night	Yes, a minimal pair!	-	only k and n are different
take - steak	Yes, a minimal pair!	-	This is a minimal pair because s and "nothing" are different. This means than minimal pairs can also be made if one of the "sounds" is actually zero!
maid - made	No, not a minimal pair	-	The two words are the same exactly.
wise - rice	No, not a minimal pair	-	There are TWO differences in theses words
base - phase	No, not a minimal pair	-	There are TWO differences in theses words (be very careful to distinguish s and z - you will need a dictionary mort of the time!)
caught - cot	Yes, a minimal pair in RP, but no, not in some other accents	-	Some Scottish and American accents will pronounce these words the same.