Common Consonant Clusters in English

Speaking English can sometimes present difficulties. One contributing factor is the presence of consonant clusters, which are groups of two or more consonants next to each other in a word, like "bl" in “black.”

This article will take a closer look at consonant clusters, introduce you to the most common ones in English with example words, and provide some useful practice tips.

What are Consonant Clusters?

The English alphabet contains 21 consonant letters: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z.

The term "cluster" refers to a group of similar items gathered together.

Therefore, a consonant cluster is a sequence of consonant letters that appear and are spoken together. This group must contain at least two consonants, with no vowel letters (A, E, I, O, or U) separating them. Most consonant clusters are either two or three letters in length.

English features numerous consonant clusters:

• They can appear at the start of a word, making them "initial clusters" or "initial blends."
• They can also be found at the end of a word, known as "final consonant blends."
• Consonant clusters can even occur in the middle of words.

Pronouncing consonant clusters can be difficult for English learners, but because they are so common, it is crucial to learn them early.

The Most Common English Consonant Clusters

We will now review the most common English consonant clusters in alphabetical order.

Consonant Clusters that Start with B

1. B + L = BL

This consonant cluster typically appears at the beginning or towards the end of words.

Keep in mind that a consonant cluster should be pronounced as one smooth syllable. For BL, you would quickly combine the sounds "buh" and "ull"—it should sound similar to the word “bull.”

When producing the L sound, ensure your tongue touches your teeth.

Here are some example words containing the BL consonant cluster.

2. B + R = BR

This cluster can be confused with BL, so pay attention to your pronunciation!

When pronouncing the R, your tongue should be curled and nearly touching the bottom of your mouth, not your teeth.

Consonant Clusters that Start with C

3. C + H = CH

The CH cluster can be confusing because its pronunciation varies, depending on the word and its position.

Sometimes, CH sounds like "chuh." Your teeth should be close together, and a puff of air should pass between them. Your tongue will also flick to the roof of your mouth, just behind your top teeth.

However, CH can sometimes sound more like "kuh." It is not always easy to predict when this happens!

Pay close attention whenever you encounter a word with the CH consonant cluster.

4. C + L = CL

When pronouncing CL, your teeth will be close together and your tongue will touch near the back of your teeth. It will sound like "kuhl."

5. C + R = CR

Remember the R sound! Your tongue should be curled up and reaching toward the top of your mouth.

Consonant Clusters that Start with D

6. D + R = DR

Fortunately, there aren't many consonant clusters beginning with D. DR is the most common one. It usually appears at the start or in the middle of words and sounds like "durr."

Consonant Clusters that Start with F

7. F + L = FL

The FL cluster is usually found at the start of words.

Practice its sound by saying the word “full” rapidly.

8. F + R = FR

When saying FR, your bottom lip should touch or be close to your top front teeth.

Practice saying the word “fur” quickly to get a feel for it.

Consonant Clusters that Start with G

9. G + L = GL

The letter G can be tricky to pronounce. It can sound like "guh" or more like "juh."

The GL consonant cluster almost always uses the "guh" sound.

10. G + R = GR

Like the GL consonant cluster, GR also typically uses the "guh" sound. You will not find many English words ending with this cluster.

Consonant Clusters that Start with P

11. P + L = PL

This consonant cluster is commonly found at the beginning of words.

When pronouncing PL, your lips will curl inwards, then release outwards with a puff of air. It's similar to a popping sound!

Practice the L sound by ensuring your tongue goes between your front teeth.

12. P + R = PR

This can sound similar to PL, but remember, the R sound requires your tongue to curl up as you exhale.

Consonant Clusters that Start with S

13. S + C + R = SCR

This is a very common three-letter English consonant cluster. It is pronounced like "skur."

Start with a hissing sound between your front teeth for S, followed by a hard "kuh" sound for C and the curled tongue for R.

14. S + H = SH

This one is easy to pronounce. It’s the same sound you use when you’re telling someone to be quiet.

Your upper and lower teeth should be touching, with your lips open and slightly protruding.

15. S + L = SL

Hiss for the S sound, and then push your tongue out to go between your front teeth for the L sound.

16. S + M = SM

You already know how to make the S sound! For the M sound, simply keep your lips closed and hum from your throat.

17. S + P = SP

This consonant cluster is common in all parts of a word: at the beginning, middle, or end.

After the hissing S sound, simply let air "pop" out from your lips to make the P sound.

A good word for practice is "super."

18. S + T = ST

To pronounce ST, your mouth should almost look like you are smiling.

To make the T sound, your teeth should be close together (but not touching), and you'll use your tongue to push air between them. It's as if your tongue is gently tapping your teeth.

19. S + T + R = STR

You can pronounce this as if you were adding an R sound after the ST consonant cluster—your tongue will roll back and touch the top of your mouth.

However, when some native speakers say STR quickly, it can sound like "sjurr" or even "schurr." The T sound becomes somewhat "soft."

We recommend practicing the first pronunciation method to achieve a clearer T sound.

Consonant Clusters that Start with T

20. T + H + R = THR

This consonant cluster is a bit tricky because the English TH can be difficult to pronounce.

Ensure your tongue is between your teeth and slightly protruding, then blow air through them. Next, add the R sound by quickly pulling your tongue back inside and curling it upward.

21. T + R = TR

This one is easier than THR.

Simply make a regular T sound by using your tongue to "flick" air between your front teeth, and then make the R sound right after by curling your tongue up. Your teeth should be close together, but not touching.

22. T + W = TW

After making a regular T sound, quickly pull your lips back as if you are about to smile, and you will almost automatically produce a "weh" sound.

How to Learn and Practice Consonant Clusters

Watch English videos (with subtitles)

Watching English videos allows you to hear native speakers use consonant clusters frequently. This helps you learn how they should sound in various words.

It's best to watch videos with captions or subtitles so you can also see the consonant clusters as they are spoken.

There are many excellent English-teaching YouTube channels available. Here is one recommended channel for English pronunciation:

For additional learning support, consider other language learning platforms that use authentic videos—such as music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks—and transform them into personalized lessons. You can try some of these platforms for free for a limited time. Check out their websites or download their mobile apps. P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Read English texts out loud

It is very important to practice pronouncing consonant clusters as much as possible. Whenever you read in English, we recommend reading aloud rather than silently.

You can start with graded learner books before progressing to more challenging texts. More difficult books are sure to contain longer English words and complex consonant clusters.

Have fun with tongue twisters

A tongue twister is a sentence full of words that are difficult to say quickly. Usually, all the words start with the same letter or a similar sound. Even native speakers find them challenging!

However, they can be a fun and effective way to practice consonant clusters (and impress your friends).

Here are some tongue twisters that feature consonant clusters:

She sells seashells by the seashore.

Stanley stands sadly on the steep stone steps.

Gleeful Glen wears green glasses.

For more tongue twisters, check out this list:

Use your hands

Remember that a consonant cluster should be pronounced smoothly, as one syllable. To help ensure you are not separating it into multiple syllables, you can use your hands as a visual guide.

Hold both hands with palms facing up. Place one hand horizontally flat in front of you, then position the other vertically above it at a right angle.

As you say a consonant cluster, swipe the palm of your vertical hand across the horizontal hand, as if you are wiping dust off a table.

With consistent practice, you will become comfortable with consonant clusters. This will allow you to learn many everyday English words!