Ending sounds: how to hear the last sound of a word
Short answer: The ending sound is the last sound you hear, not the last letter you see. Say the word slowly and listen to the end: cat ends with /t/, dog with /g/, bus with /s/. Final sounds matter in English because they can change the meaning: cap, cat and can differ only in the last sound.
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At a glance
| Word | Last sound | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cat | /t/ | short stop |
| dog | /g/ | voiced stop |
| bus | /s/ | hissing sound |
| cup | /p/ | lips close |
How to make the sound
- Say the word slowly.
- Listen to the very last sound.
- Say that sound quickly: /t/ in cat.
- Change the last sound to make a new word: cat → cap.
Examples in sentences
- cat
Ends with /t/: /kæt/. - hat
Ends with /t/: /hæt/. - bed
Ends with /d/: /bɛd/. - dog
Ends with /g/: /dɔg/. - bus
Ends with /s/: /bʌs/. - cup
Ends with /p/: /kʌp/.
Common problems
- Dropping the final sound: Saying “ca” for cat. Keep the last sound, short but clear.
- Adding a vowel: Saying “cat-uh”. End with the consonant, with no extra vowel.
- Mixing /t/ and /d/: cat and cad are different words. Listen for the sound, not the letter.
For Vietnamese speakers
- Many Vietnamese words end in a vowel or a nasal, so final /t/, /d/, /p/ and /g/ may be missed. Listen for the last sound on purpose.
- Final /p/, /t/ and /k/ in English are released lightly. Do not leave them out completely.
Check yourself
- What is the last sound of “bus”?
Show the answer
/s/ Listen to the end.
- What is the last sound of “dog”?
Show the answer
/g/ A voiced stop.
- Which word ends with /p/?
Show the answer
cup Lips close at the end.
Questions
Why are final sounds important?
They can change the word: cap, cat and can are different words.
Do I say the last sound loudly?
No. Keep it short, but make it clear.
Is the last letter always the last sound?
No. In “bike”, the e is silent and the last sound is /k/.
More lessons in this part
Part of the 👄 Pronunciation tool: Sound Awareness. See also the English pronunciation guide. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30