Difference between Vowels and Consonants: A Complete Student’s Guide

Vowels and consonants are the two basic building blocks of speech. Every word you say is made up of these two types of sounds. Understanding the difference between vowels and consonants important for using them correctly

Many of us learn that A, E, I, O, and U are vowels, while the remaining letters are consonants. While this is correct at a basic level, the real difference lies in how the sounds are produced in the mouth. 

In this article, you will learn the difference between vowels and consonants, how each sound is produced, and consonants that behave like vowels, with examples and exercises. 

Table of Contents

• What are the Difference between Vowels and Consonants?
• Difference between Vowel Sounds and Consonant Sounds
• Difference between Vowels and Consonants in Phonetics
• Vowels and Consonants Examples
• Vowels and Consonants Exercises
• Frequently Asked Questions About Vowels and Consonants

What are the Difference between Vowels and Consonants?

The easiest way to understand the difference between vowels and consonants is to think about airflow. When you say a vowel, air flows out of your mouth freely. Your tongue, teeth, and lips do not block the air. Try saying the vowel ‘o’ out loud. Your mouth stays open, and nothing stops the sound.

When you say a consonant, something blocks the air. It could be your lips coming together, your tongue touching your teeth, or your throat narrowing the air passage. Try saying ‘t’. Your tongue taps the roof of your mouth and briefly stops the air.

In English, the letters A, E, I, O, and U are usually called vowels, and the rest are called consonants. But this rule is only true for spelling. In actual speech, sounds matter more than letters, and a few letters can act as either, depending on the word.

The following table clearly explains the difference between vowels and consonants with examples:

Difference between Vowel Sounds and Consonant Sounds

The difference between consonant and vowel sounds is based on pronunciation rather than spelling.

Vowel Sounds

• Produced with open airflow.

• Usually louder and longer.

• Form the core of a syllable.

Examples:

• /i/ as in seat

• /u/ as in blue

• /ɑ/ as in calm

Consonant Sounds

• Produced with airflow restriction.

• Created by contact or narrowing in the mouth.

• Usually occur before or after vowels.

Examples:

• /p/

• /g/

• /s/

 

Difference between Vowels and Consonants in Phonetics

Vowels in Phonetics

Vowels are classified according to:

• Tongue height

• Tongue position

• Lip shape

Consonants in Phonetics

Consonants are classified according to:

• Place of articulation

• Manner of articulation

• Voicing

For example:

• /p/ and /b/ are produced in the same place but differ in voicing.

• /t/ and /k/ differ in place of articulation.

 

Vowels and Consonants Exercises

Exercise 1: Vowel or consonant sound

Say each word out loud. Write down if the sound at the start is a vowel sound or a consonant sound.

1. apple

2. dog

3. igloo

4. sun

5. Orange

Answer: 

1. Vowel sound

2. Consonant sound

3. Vowel sound

4. Consonant sound

5. Vowel sound

Exercise 2: Fill in the blank 

Use ‘a’ or ‘an’ in front of each word.

1. ___ hour

2. ___ university

3. ___ elephant

4. ___ umbrella

5. ___ honest person

Answers: 

1. an hour

2. a university

3. an elephant

4. an umbrella

5. an honest person