[ey] and [e]

[ey]

[ey] is articulated with the tongue in a neutral position relative to the roof of the mouth - not too high and not too low. The lips are slightly open. [ey] is diphthongized.

[e]

The articulation of [e] is similar to that of [ey], except that it is not diphthongized, which makes it sound a little "shorter".

[ey] ~ [e]

raced ~ rest

pane ~ pen

chase ~ chess

taste ~ test

gate ~ get

trained ~ trend

late ~ let

sprayed ~ spread

mate ~ met

raid ~ red

Can you taste lead in this beige paste?

I didn't get to the gate and was late for my test.

Ken's pet snake ate Jane's rare steak.

I bet Ed gets his bait in Leicester but rents his boat in Maine.

They said Kate's bed was made from well-aged maple.