In a consonant blend, two or more consonants come together but keep their individual sounds. For example:

• bl - black, blue
• st - stop, star
• gr - green, grow
• cl - clap, clean

Here are some common blends that appear at the beginning of English words:

• bl - black, blue, blink
• br - bring, bread, broom
• cl - clap, clean, climb
• cr - cry, crash, crown
• dr - drop, drum, drive
• fl - flip, fly, flame
• fr - frog, friend, freeze
• gl - glue, glass, globe
• gr - green, grow, great
• pl - play, plate, plan
• pr - print, prize, proud
• sc - school, scarf, scoop
• sk - sky, skate, skill
• sl - slide, slow, sleep
• sm - small, smile, smoke
• sn - snow, snail, snack
• sp - spot, spin, spoon
• st - stop, star, stick
• sw - swim, sweet, swing
• tr - tree, truck, train
• tw - twin, twelve, twist

These blends are found at the end of words:

• ld - cold, gold, held
• nd - sand, hand, blend
• nt - sent, bent, plant
• mp - lamp, jump, bump
• st - best, fast, list
• sk - ask, task, mask
• ft - gift, lift, soft
• lk - milk, walk, talk

Vietnamese speakers often omit or change "s" blends, especially at the beginning of words. For example, stop might sound like top.

• sp  speak, spoon, space
• st  stop, stand, store
• sl  slow, slide, slip
• sk  sky, skate, skill
• sm  small, smoke, smell
• sn  snow, snack, snail
• sw  swim, swing, sweet

"R" sounds are challenging for many Vietnamese learners. The tongue should curl slightly back without touching the top of the mouth.

• br  bread, bring, brown
• cr  cry, crab, crown
• dr  drive, drop, draw
• fr  friend, frog, frame
• gr  green, grow, great
• pr  proud, prize, print
• tr  tree, train, trap

• Break it down  Start by pronouncing each sound separately, then blend them slowly.
• Use a mirror  Watch how your lips, teeth, and tongue move for accurate pronunciation.
• Listen and repeat  Use recordings of native speakers and echo their pronunciation.
• Minimal pairs  Practice similar words with and without blends (e.g., top vs. stop).
• Record yourself  Playback helps you notice mistakes you may not hear while speaking.

Try saying these words out loud:

• st: star, step, stick, stamp
• sp: space, speed, spot, spill
• br: bring, brush, brick, break
• cr: crack, crab, crowd, cry
• gr: grass, grape, grow, green

Bonus Challenge: Create a sentence using three blend words (e.g., The green frog jumped from the grass and crashed into the stick.)