V or W?
The Respected Voice
Professional English That Reflects Your Expertise
V or W? Why this tiny difference in sound matters more than you think.
Mixing up the V and W sounds is a common challenge for fluent English speakers from non-English backgrounds. And while it might seem like a small detail, this one sound swap can affect how clearly you’re understood — especially in professional or high-stakes situations.
The good news? With a little practice and awareness, you can master the difference.
In this post, I’ll break down the pronunciation of V and W, show you how to build muscle memory, and give you easy practice tips so you can speak more confidently and clearly.
How to pronounce V:
Place your top teeth gently on your bottom lip.
Let the air vibrate your lip as you voice the sound: VVVVV.
You don’t need to keep your teeth outside your lip all the time — inside can work too.
To build muscle memory, try overemphasizing this position at first.
In fast speech, we often relax and put teeth inside the lip to speak more quickly.
How to pronounce W:
Round your lips as if you’re about to whistle.
The air flows without vibration from the teeth — it’s a smooth, voiced glide: WWWWW.
Why does it matter?
One very common mix-up I hear is the word “very” pronounced as “wary.”
“Very” means a lot or to a high degree.
“Wary” means cautious or worried.
For example:
Correct: “I am very excited about the project.”
Incorrect: “I am wary excited about the project.” (This changes the meaning!)
Practice makes perfect! Here are some words to try:
Words starting with V (with correct pronunciation):
Very (not wary)
Value (not walue)
Vodka (not wodka)
Vote (not wote)
Video
Vacation
Words starting with W (with correct pronunciation):
Would / Wood (not vood)
Wi-Fi
Web
Where / Wear
Why
When
Tips to improve your V and W sounds:
Record yourself: Listen carefully and compare your pronunciation with native speakers.
Use mirror practice: Watch your teeth and lips to make sure you’re placing them correctly.
Slow it down: Pronounce the words slowly, then gradually increase your speed when practicing.
Practice in sentences: Don’t just say single words — try phrases and sentences like “He was very …”, “I would like to vote” or “That is very important.”
Mastering these sounds will help you be understood clearly, sound more confident, and communicate your ideas effectively.
Feel free to reach out if you want a free consultation or practice materials. Just write V/W and I will forward it right to you. Please include your first name and the email address you would like it sent to.