W Sound

w (wow, quit, where)

The W sound (IPA symbol: w) can be found in American English words such as woman, below, win, why, where, quick, and quiet, and one.

You should practice the W sound in front of a mirror to make sure you are holding your lips correctly. This is not a natural sound for many non-native speakers to make.
There are three common ways to make the W sound: w, wh, and qu.
W = /w/:
The most common way to spell the W sound is with a W. The W can be at the beginning, middle, or end of a word. 
1) wow
2) woman
3) wife
4) now
5) flower
6) know
7) sweet
8) win
9) rewind
10) row
11) flow
12) towel
13) winter

Wh = /w/:
The W sound is also sometimes spelled with the letters WH. 
1) why
2) where
3) when
4) while
5) what
6) white

Important note: Not all WH words are pronounced as a W sound. When the WH is followed by the OO sound or the Long O sound, it is usually pronounced as an H only (like in the words her and him).
Examples: (say these words with an H sound.)
1) who (WH + OO)
2) whom (WH + OO)
3) whole (WH + Long O)

Qu = /kw/:
The qu spelling is a K sound followed by a W sound. 
1) quit
2) quick
3) quite
4) quiet
5) queen
Here two more words that have the W sound that do not follow the spelling rules above. The W sound is in bold print.
1) one
2) choir

The W sound is very similar to the OO sound in English. They sound almost the same! The only difference is that the lips are a little more closed when forming the Wsound. 
Let's practice the W sound and OO sound side-by-side.

Now say these sentences out loud (the W sounds are bold):
1) Quick! Where is my wife? 
2) I saw the queen in the winter. 
3) We will win now. 
4) Will the woman be quiet?
5) Now, what is that white flower?
7) William won the quick race.
8) I know he quit the choir.
9) Where is the wonderful queen?
10) Why doesn't this one taste sweet?

Good job! Let’s move on!