Vowels 8 and 19, /ʊ/ versus //    8 pairs      [pudpaired.html]

The /ʊ/ vowel is spelled <oo>, <u>, and <oul> in should. The // diphthong is spelled <are> or <air>.

This is a contrast between a short vowel and a diphthong, widely separated in the mouth. It creates no problems.

The density figure is 0.83%. The set makes 8 semantic contrasts giving a loading of 100%, though that is insignificant in such a short list.

bully barely 
could cared 
fully fairly 
hood hared 
pud paired 
should shared 
stood stared 
wood wared 

John Higgins, Shaftesbury, December 2009