These pairs differ only in voicing (vibration of the vocal cords). Spanish speakers often confuse them, especially at the end of words.
/b/ vs. /p/
| Voiced /b/ | Voiceless /p/ |
|---|---|
| bat | pat |
| big | pig |
| bin | pin |
| base | pace |
| back | pack |
| bay | pay |
| bet | pet |
| bark | park |
| ball | pall |
| bad | pad |
/d/ vs. /t/
| Voiced /d/ | Voiceless /t/ |
|---|---|
| dog | top |
| dip | tip |
| day | tape |
| dot | tot |
| den | ten |
| dare | tear |
| dull | tall |
| dig | tick |
| dune | tune |
| dead | Ted |
/g/ vs. /k/
| Voiced /g/ | Voiceless /k/ |
|---|---|
| go | coat |
| gap | cap |
| game | came |
| goal | coal |
| gum | come |
| got | cot |
| guard | card |
| gale | kale |
| gear | care |
| gold | cold |