* The "a" sound. In American English, the "a" sound is typically pronounced as a diphthong, meaning it starts with one sound and then moves to another. For example, the "a" in "cat" is pronounced as "ae." In British English, the "a" sound is typically pronounced as a monophthong, meaning it is just one sound. For example, the "a" in "cat" is pronounced as "ah."
* The "e" sound. In American English, the "e" sound is typically pronounced as a diphthong, starting with an "eh" sound and then moving to an "ee" sound. For example, the "e" in "bet" is pronounced as "eh-ee." In British English, the "e" sound is typically pronounced as a monophthong, meaning it is just one sound. For example, the "e" in "bet" is pronounced as "eh."
* The "i" sound. In American English, the "i" sound is typically pronounced as a diphthong, starting with an "ah" sound and then moving to an "ee" sound. For example, the "i" in "sit" is pronounced as "ah-ee." In British English, the "i" sound is typically pronounced as a monophthong, meaning it is just one sound. For example, the "i" in "sit" is pronounced as "ih."
* The "o" sound. In American English, the "o" sound is typically pronounced as a diphthong, starting with an "aw" sound and then moving to an "oh" sound. For example, the "o" in "cot" is pronounced as "aw-oh." In British English, the "o" sound is typically pronounced as a monophthong, meaning it is just one sound. For example, the "o" in "cot" is pronounced as "ah."
* The "u" sound. In American English, the "u" sound is typically pronounced as a diphthong, starting with an "oo" sound and then moving to an "ew" sound. For example, the "u" in "cut" is pronounced as "oo-ew." In British English, the "u" sound is typically pronounced as a monophthong, meaning it is just one sound. For example, the "u" in "cut" is pronounced as "uh."
Consonant Sounds
* The "r" sound. In American English, the "r" sound is typically pronounced as a rhotic sound, meaning it is pronounced clearly. For example, the "r" in "red" is pronounced as "r." In British English, the "r" sound is typically pronounced as a non-rhotic sound, meaning it is not pronounced clearly. For example, the "r" in "red" is pronounced as "uh."
* The "l" sound. In American English, the "l" sound is typically pronounced as a "dark l," which means it is pronounced with the tongue touching the back of the upper front teeth. For example, the "l" in "let" is pronounced as "l." In British English, the "l" sound is typically pronounced as a "clear l," which means it is pronounced with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth. For example, the "l" in "let" is pronounced as "l."
* The "t" sound. In American English, the "t" sound is typically pronounced as a "flapped t," which means it is pronounced with a quick tap of the tongue against the back of the upper front teeth. For example, the "t" in "water" is pronounced as "t." In British English, the "t" sound is typically pronounced as a "released t," which means it is pronounced with a full release of the tongue from the back of the upper