What are minimal pairs?

A minimal pair or close pair consists of two words with sounds that are very similar but have different meanings.

For example, rot and lot may sound similar, especially to some non-native English speakers.

Below are ten other examples of minimal pairs, in the each sentence choose the correct word. Try saying the words out aloud, do you notice how similar they sound?

• 1) Heat up the water in a ___.
  
  pan
  pen
  
  
• 2) You can throw all the rubbish into the ___.
  
  bean
  bin
  
  
• 3) We ___ a great weekend.
  
  hat
  had
  
  
• 4) You can ___ the envelop and post it.
  
  zeal
  seal
  
  
• 5) The ___ was just wide enough for the dog to squeeze through.
  
  tap
  gap
  
  
• 6) He polishes the ___ buttons on his uniform.
  
  brass
  grass
  
  
• 7) Take a ___ of this soup and tell me if you like it.
  
  tip
  sip
  
  
• 8) She caught a butterfly in a ___.
  
  net
  vet
  
  
• 9) See a doctor about the pain in your ___.
  
  tease
  knees
  
  
• 10) He help the young girl ___ her shoelaces.
  
  lie
  tie