Tongue twisters are a fun way to practice pronunciation and improve English skills. Not only for kids, tongue twisters can also be an interesting challenge for adults.
Ready to put your tongue to the test and learn while having fun? Let's get started with 70 fun English tongue twister examples!
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What is Tongue Twister?
Tongue twisters are a bunch of words that are deliberately arranged to be difficult to pronounce.
These words are alliterative, which means they repeat consonant or vowel sounds at the beginning or even the end of consecutive syllables.
So, it's no surprise that tongue twisters are tricky and difficult to pronounce, even for native speakers.
This time, we will learn tongue twisters in English to practice your English pronunciation. Be careful not to let your tongue slip!
Also read: 15 Hardest Words to Spell in English (and What They Mean)
Easy Tongue Twisters for Kids
Tongue twisters for kids are said to be quite easy, but can you pronounce them quickly? Check this out!
- I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
This is a great way to practice the "s" sound. The repetition rhythm here will make your tongue more flexible.
- A big black bug bit a big black bear.
It's good practice for the "b" sound in different vowel combinations. Try saying it quickly to feel the challenge.
- She sells seashells by the seashore
One of the classic tongue twisters to practice the difference between "s" and "sh". Notice how your tongue produces this sound.
- Green glass globes glow greenly.
It's a nice exercise for the “g” sound in different words. The alliteration here will help you remember this phrase.
- Snap, crackle, and pop!
Fun onomatopoeia for small sounds. Focus on different consonant sounds and how they work together.
- Double bubble gum bubbles double.
Proper practice of the “b” sound and repetition of the word “double” will help you improve your fluency.
- A flea and a fly flew up in a flue.
Look out for your “f” sound combined with different vowel combinations.
- Peter picked a peck of pickled peppers.
This is also a popular tongue twister for practicing the smooth “p” sound by releasing a bit of air from the mouth.
- Black bug’s blood.
This consonant combination can be tricky to practice the "b" sound.
- Try to buy a tie.
Although short, it can be difficult to say quickly. Suitable for practicing the "t" sound.
- The cat sat on the mat.
Simple phrases to practice the “t” sound can be a nice introduction to practicing English pronunciation.
- Pick six beaks, seek big peaks.
You can practice the "k" and "s" sounds here. Watch out for the consonant changes!
- Fox in a box.
Simple, yet useful for practicing and honing your "x" voice.
- Truly rural.
The consonant combination is quite challenging especially for native Asian speakers because of the “r” and “l” sounds.
- He threw three free throws
A good drill for the “th” sound. Pay attention to how your tongue forms the sound.
- Betty loves the velvet vest best.
The neighboring “b” and “v” sounds help you pronounce it more clearly.
- I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.
Be careful! Are your "s" and "sh" sounds distinct and clear?
- Rubber baby buggy bumpers.
This is a great way to practice the pronunciation of the "b" sound.
- Six sticky skeletons.
This phrase will help you work on the “s” and “k” sounds.
- Black cats’ backs.
The contiguous consonants of “b” and “k” are a challenge for this phrase.
- Red lorry, yellow lorry.
The same type as “truly rural”. This phrase can get your tongue twisted with “r” and “l”.
- Eleven benevolent elephants.
It helps to train the pronunciation of the “e” sound. Don't forget to distinguish the “v” and “f” sounds.
- Pad kid poured curd-pulled cod.
Watch out for the "p", "k", and "d" sounds. Make sure they sound clear!
- Which witch is which?
This is a fantastic way to work on your pronunciation of “w” and “ch”.
- Scissors sizzle, thistles sizzle.
Take a look at how you pronounce the difference between “s” and “z”. Is it correct?
- Tie twine to three tree twigs.
It's helpful to learn the “t” and “w” sounds. But don't forget, the “th” sound should also be pronounced clearly.
- Fresh fried fish, fish freshly fried.
The “f” and “sh” sounds need to be paid close attention to here. Say it clearly!
- Betty Botter bought some butter.
One of the famous tongue twisters that can practice your 'b' and 't' pronunciation.
- Wayne went to Wales to watch whales.
A combination of vowels with “w” can help you improve your fluency.
- Good blood, bad blood.
The different pronunciation of the vowel “o” in this phrase is quite confusing. Don't be fooled by the “b” and “d” either!
- How much dew do dew drops do?
A good training for pronouncing “d” and “h”.
- She stood on the steps and stared steadily.
Pay attention to the “s” and “t” sounds which are tricky because they are located next to each other.
- Tom threw Tim three thumbtacks.
This is a great way to learn the pronunciation of “t” and “th”.
- How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?
What about the "k" sound here? You didn't read it wrong, right?
- You can cage a caged canary in a cage.
A fun way to practice the “k” and “j” sounds. The repetition here will help you get your pronunciation down.
Also read: Weird Words in English and Their Meanings
Hard Tongue Twisters for Adults
Did the previous tongue twister fun enough or did it make you give up? Well, let's see the following tongue twisters that are more intricate and complicated!
- Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair. Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t fuzzy, was he?
Pretty long, right? This phrase will train your "f", "w", and "z" pronunciation to be more fluent.
- The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick.
This is the hardest tongue twister yet! Can you distinguish your "s", "sh", and "k" pronunciations here?
- Which wristwatches are Swiss wristwatches?
The repetition of "w" and "s" makes this phrase a great exercise.
- Conceptual crystallization causes chaotic complications.
It’s a challenging exercise for "k" and "s" sounds.
- Brisk brave brigadiers brandish burnished blades.
The "b" and "r" sounds should be particularly noted here. Say it clearly, okay?
- Six sleek swans swam swiftly southwards.
A great exercise to hone your pronunciation of “s” and “w”.
- Deceptively diminutive detectives discover dubious documents.
It looks complicated, doesn't it? Try saying this to practice your "d" sound and other consonants.
- Garrulous gargoyles gossip gratuitously.
Very effective for working on the “g” and “s” sounds. Make sure they are heard correctly.
- Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?
Good repetition to sharpen your pronunciation of the “k” sound.
- He huffed and he puffed and he fluffed up his cuffs.
How about your “h” and “f” sounds here? Do they sound obvious?
- The thirty-three thieves thought that they were thrilled Thursday.
Well, that “th” sound is very repetitive and muddling. But it can be a useful exercise.
- Nine nimble noblemen nibbling nuts.
The proximity of the “n” and “b” sound makes it quite tricky, doesn't it?
- Six slippery snails slid slowly seaward.
The “s” and “l” consonants close together make this phrase pretty tough. Try saying it quickly, can you do it?
- Artificial artillery’s artifice angers artful artificers.
Pay attention to your “r” and “t” sounds. Isn't it quite hard to pronounce because they are next to each other?
- So, this is the sushi chef’s shaved fish soup.
A thrilling exercise because the “s” and “sh” are nearby. Be careful in pronouncing it!
- Near a near ear, a nearer ear, a nearly near ear.
Try and rehearse your “r” sound with this phrase. Isn't it fun?
- Don’t trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.
A great exercise for the “t” and “r” sounds. Look at how they sound when they are joined together.
- Each Easter easiness enables energetic eating.
Which vowel “e” should be read long and which one is short? Don't be fooled!
- Obstreperous orangutans orchestrate outrageous outbursts.
This one is really hard! It is very demanding to train your “o” sound with various consonant variations after it.
- If two witches watched two watches, which witch would watch which watch?
Excellent for practicing your “w” and “t” pronunciation. Watch your tongue to avoid slipping.
- Near the lake where the geese eat green grass, there lived three free grey geese.
The “r” and “g” sounds are very dominant which makes it difficult here. But the short and long “e” vowels make it even more difficult.
- How many yaks could a yak pack, if a yak pack could pack yaks?
You can smoothen the pronunciation of “k” and “y” with this phrase.
- If you notice this notice, you will notice that this notice is not worth noticing.
Try out your “n” and “s” sounds here, guaranteed to work on your pronunciation!
- How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
A fun exercise for the “ch” sound. Don't forget the long “o” and short “u” vowels.
- Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, a peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
Peter Piper's long version for practicing the “p” sound. Is your pronunciation correct?
- So if she sells seashells on the seashore, I’m sure she sells seashore shells.
Again, the “s” and “sh” sounds are put to the test here. Be careful not to trip your tongue!
- A big black bug bit a big black bear and made the big black bear bleed black blood.
This phrase can help you hone your “b” and “k” pronunciation. Try repeating it a few times to make it feel challenging.
- Theophilus Thistle, the thistle sifter, sifted a sieve of unsifted thistles.
Distinguishing between "th" and "s" sounds is quite difficult. This phrase can be a great exercise for you.
- Little Sally Walker sat upon a wall, Little Sally Walker had a great fall.
Good practice on your pronunciation of 'l' and 'w' sounds. Especially the repeated ones will make you more fluent.
- Betty Botter bought some butter, but the butter was so bitter, it made her batter bitter, so she bought some better butter.
Betty's here again! This will help you improve the pronunciation of “b” with different vowels.
- One-one was a racehorse. Two-two was one too. When One-one won Two-two won too?
This phrase is perfect for practicing your "w" and "t" pronunciation.
- I thought a thought, but the thought I thought was not the thought I thought I thought.
The difference between “th” and “t” sounds harsh here. Effective enough to enhance your pronunciation.
- I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish you wish, I won’t wish the wish you wish to wish.
A powerful way to practice the pronunciation of "w" and "sh" repeatedly.
- Susie works in a shoeshine shop. Where Susie shines she sits, and where Susie sits she shines.
What a fun exercise to practice the pronunciation of "s" and "sh", right? Make sure your pronunciation is clear!
- Shep’s sheep sleep in a sack, Shep should sleep where his sheep sleep.
This is a practice for the "s" and "sh" sounds again. Be careful not to bite your tongue!
Also read: 15 Longest Words in the World (in English)
Conclusion
Those are 70 tongue twisters that are ready to make you more proficient in English pronunciation. Try to repeat your practice many times to become fluent.
Pick your favorite tongue twister and challenge yourself or your friends, and become a tongue twister champion today!
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