How Do You Pronounce “R” in English?

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Plus, why “R” is difficult to say and when to get help for speech
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Pronouncing the letter “r” sound in English can be a challenge for non-native speakers. Learning to say “r” depends on positioning your tongue and lips correctly, as well as constricting your throat slightly when saying it. Read on for clear, detailed instructions on pronouncing “r” in English , as well as practice tips to help you along the way. We’ll also address why pronouncing “r” is a common issue for both adults learning a second language and children who are learning to speak, and how speech therapy can help.

How to Say “R” Correctly: Overview

When pronouncing the “r” sound, first position your tongue back in your mouth, so it points upwards. The sides of your tongue will barely touch your back teeth. Then, purse your lips so they form a small “o” shape. Lastly, constrict your pharynx (throat) as you make the “r” sound.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Pronounce “R” in English

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  1. 1
    Position your tongue slightly back in your mouth. Point the tip of your tongue upwards, without touching the ridge behind your teeth. The sides of your tongue should just barely touch your back teeth. [1]
    • The tongue can be curled back slightly while pointing upwards.
  2. You’re preparing your lips to make a rounded, small "o" shape to properly pronounce the "r." [2]
    • This is a very important step in reciting the "r" sound, which can’t be pronounced unless the mouth is in an oval shape.
    • To assist another person in learning the "r" sound, encourage them to look at you as you form it correctly by forming a small "o" with your lips.
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  3. Pharynx is another word for the part of the throat behind the oral and nasal cavities, located above the trachea and esophagus. Constricting this part of the throat allows air to flow smoothly over your tongue as you make the sound. Most people do this without realizing it, so it can be a bit of a learning curve to recognize where these muscles are and how to move them.
    • To practice constricting the pharynx, gargle water while saying "ah." Your pharynx will constrict in the same way that it does when you say the "r" sound. [3]
    • Another way to learn how to constrict the pharynx involves gently biting both edges of the tongue with the molars and pressing up with the tongue onto the top molars. Say "eee" while doing this motion with the tongue; this is what it feels like when the pharynx constricts.
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Section 2 of 5:

Tips For Practicing How to Pronounce “R”

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  1. Words that end in “r” (like “car”) are easier to produce than words that begin with it or contain it in the middle, so start with a word like "car." [4]
    • In English, “r’s” appear in 3 different ways: a single “r” (as in “run”), a double “rr” (as in “carrot”), and “wr” (as in “write”).
    • Speech language pathologist Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP, recommends practice: “The amount of repetition needed varies from person to person.” [5] Practice every day when possible, even if you are not getting the sound correctly.
    • If you have a friend or partner who can help you daily, ask them to say the word to you, so you say it back to them. Watch them in a mirror while you say it, so you can watch what it looks like when they make the sound and compare it to yours.
  2. 2
    Underline the “R’s” in a text and read them out loud. You can perform this exercise using a scene from a movie, an article, or an excerpt from a book—a few paragraphs to a page is a good place to start. Mark or highlight all the different “R’s” in the text and then read each one out loud intentionally. [6]
    • This exercise will show you all the different ways “R” can appear in English words (and help expand your vocabulary).
  3. 3
    Record yourself saying the “R’s” in an intentional way. Spontaneously speak out loud for a short period. While doing so, make an effort to speak your “R’s” as clearly as possible. Listen back to the recording you made and see how your “R’s” sounded. The more you do it, the more your spoken “R’s” are likely to improve, pronunciation-wise. [7]
  4. Intervention from a speech-language pathologist can correct and prevent further speech problems. An accent coach helps you focus on saying specific sounds, your intonation (the way your voice rises and falls when speaking), and your rhythm. Both provide feedback and exercises that can help refine speech patterns by working through challenging sounds with pronunciation drills. [8]
    • An SLP will conduct a thorough evaluation of all elements of speech, including muscle control, articulation, eating habits, and receptive skills, or how well you or your child understands spoken language.
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Section 3 of 5:

Why is “R” so hard to pronounce?

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  1. Making rounded lips is the first component of a proper "r" pronunciation. The tongue has to make a small mound or hump in the mouth, so sound waves can travel over that mound to properly execute the sound. To make the "r" sound, the pharynx also has to constrict or tighten. [9]
    • To understand how the lips function when saying the "r" sound, ask someone who can pronounce it properly to say the word "rabbit." What does their mouth do when they say the "r" part of the word? If they're forming it correctly, their mouth makes a small circle.
    • The part of the pharynx that is associated with the "r" sound is at the very top of the throat.
Section 4 of 5:

Troubleshooting the “R” Sound

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  1. If you are struggling to constrict your pharynx to properly say the "r" sound, you may have a weak pharynx that needs exercise. [10]
    • One way to strengthen it is to gargle water every day. Try to articulate the sound "ah" while you gargle the water in the back of your throat; this is a similar motion to what you need to do when you are saying the "r" sound.
    • When trying to get rid of a speech disorder , know that stress and anxiety can also contribute to speech impediments. Try to relax, so the sounds can flow more smoothly.
  2. If you are struggling to differentiate between the "r" and similar sounds ("L" is a frequent culprit), try enlisting a friend who can model the sounds while you watch in a mirror.
    • Watch your friend's face as they properly say the different sounds. Then, watch your own face as you attempt to pronounce the sounds. Look to see how your lips' position moves with each sound to improve your clarity of speech .
  3. Since the tongue is behind the barrier of the teeth and can't be seen while trying to properly position it, some severe cases that involve incorrect positioning of the tongue may require the use of a tactile cue to help a person learn how the tongue must move to produce the correct sound.
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Section 5 of 5:

Does your child need help with speech?

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  1. 1
    Age and intelligibility indicate if a child needs help with their speech skills. If a 3-year-old is not intelligible to strangers at all, that can signal a problem. However, a kindergartner who is intelligible but still struggles with the "r" is probably in the range of normal. By 2nd grade, a child should be able to pronounce the "r" sound. [11]
    • A speech-language therapist can help a child who struggles with their “r” sounds. An SLP also assists with bullying issues, self-confidence, and spelling problems that can result from not being able to say the "r" sound properly.
  2. Most toddlers begin saying the sound like a "w" instead of an "r," as in "wabbit." This common speech impediment is referred to as rhotacism. This can continue for several years and usually self-corrects without intervention. [12]
    • The proper pronunciation of the "r" sound before the age of 7 is typically not a concern. If it's not accompanied by other speech problems or by social anxiety, it's often best to let it resolve on its own.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I increase my speed of speaking?
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    Practice for 10 minutes every day. Be more confident when you speak. Use the language at home and with your friends.
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    My R's sound like W's, and people often mishear me. Any help?
    Community Answer
    Typically, the "W" sound does not involve your tongue. When next pronouncing the "R" sound, use your tongue by positioning it on the roof of your mouth.
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    When I pronounce my Rs, it sounds like "ah." What should I do?
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    Try saying "er" and adding "uh" at the end. It will sound weird when said slowly, but when said faster it will sound normal. Try saying "red," "read," and "star."
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/3XRTN5gW4oU?si=GLptpolc_an2hmAN&t=110
      2. ↑ http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/?p=2113
      3. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/swallowing-exercises-closure-of-the-larynx-exercises
      4. ↑ https://speechtherapytalk.com/word-lists-for-speech-therapy/r-word-list/
      5. ↑ Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP. Speech Language Pathologist. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/why-you-can-not-pronounce-the-r/
      7. ↑ https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/why-you-can-not-pronounce-the-r/
      8. ↑ https://web.tapereal.com/blog/accent-and-dialect-coaching-tips-from-the-pros/
      9. ↑ https://www.noblesspeechtherapy.com/articulation-therapy/r-sounds-guide
      1. ↑ http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/?p=2113
      2. ↑ https://www.noblesspeechtherapy.com/articulation-therapy/r-sounds-guide
      3. ↑ https://www.noblesspeechtherapy.com/articulation-therapy/r-sounds-guide

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To pronounce “r” in English, start by pursing your lips so that they form a small “o” shape. Then, allow your tongue to make a small mound in your mouth so the sound can travel over it. Once your lips and tongue are in place, tighten the muscles at the very top of you throat as you practice words that end in “r,” such as “car” or “for.” Additionally, try practicing in front of a mirror to help you adjust your lips and tongue. If you’re still having trouble, strengthen your throat muscles by gargling water every day, which will help you articulate the “r” sound. For more tips, including how to practice tightening your throat muscles to make an “r” sound, read on!

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