Sounds · R and L
Final L sounds deep, like “uhl”
The back of your tongue lifts, as for “oo”, and the tip still touches.
L + end · consonant → deep
feel
Hear it in words
How each word is written, and how Americans say it.
- willwill
- callcall
- schoolschool
- milkmilk
- helphelp
- stillstill
- realreal
- coldcold
- alsoalso
- alwaysalways
- whilewhile
- healthhealth
In a sentence
- I'll call you back. I'll call you back.
- I don't feel well. I don't feel well.
- A small coffee with milk, please. A small coffee with milk, please.
Careful with these
- At the start of a part, the L can be lighter: light, love, believe, hello
How to say it
- Feel sounds a little like “fee-uhl”: a short “uh” before the L.
- Keep the L to the end: call, school, feel.
Listen for: A deep L at the end, with the tip still touching.
Where to look for it
An L at the end of a word (feel, will, call) or before a consonant (milk, help, cold). At the start of a part, the L can be lighter: light, love.
More about it
Many Americans make every L a little deep, even at the start. In table and people, the end sounds like “uhl” (Quick parts). British English has a deep L at the end too.
Teachers call this: The dark L, or velarized L.
Listen for it today. When someone says “I’ll call you”, listen for the deep L in both words.