Medial Short U Words for Speech Therapy

Medial Short U Words are words that have the short U sound in the middle, such as what, just, and but. This list has 14 medial-position Short U words for speech therapy practice, and most children master the short U sound by age 3.

Short U words in the middle: what, just, but, one, from, won, must, does, money, coming — plus 4 more below. Medial position is where English vowels do most of their work: nearly every one-syllable word is a vowel with consonants around it, so this is usually the most useful list to practise from.

Words:14
Position:Medial

Medial Short U Words — Full List (14 Words)

Every word below has the short U sound in the middle. Work through five at a time rather than the whole list in one sitting.

whatjustbutonefromwonmustdoesmoneycominganotherenoughdonesomeone
Practice these words with games

How to Practice Medial Short U Words at Home

Strategies for practicing the short U sound in the middle of words.

1

Break each word into syllables and practice only the syllable holding the short U sound, then put the word back together.

2

Clap out the syllables and give the syllable with the short U sound the strongest clap, so it does not get swallowed by the ones around it.

3

Use a mirror. A vowel is made by how open the jaw is and how the lips and tongue sit, not by a contact your child can feel, so watching the mouth is the clearest feedback available.

4

Practice minimal pairs — two words that differ only in this vowel. Hearing the pair back to back shows a child exactly what has to change, which a single word never does.

5

Go by sound, not spelling. English writes the short U sound several different ways, so read the words aloud together rather than teaching them as a spelling pattern.

6

Use the words in short, natural phrases ("I see a what") so the vowel keeps its shape in connected speech.

Medial Short U Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of Short U words in the medial position?
This page lists 14 Short U words that have the short U sound in the middle, including what, just, but, one, from, won, must, does, money, coming.
What age should a child master the Short U sound?
Most children master the short U sound by age 3. Vowels come in earlier than most consonants: children generally have their full vowel system before the late-developing consonants such as /R/, /S/ and /TH/. Vowel errors are far less common than consonant errors, so one that is still there in a school-age child is worth raising with a speech-language pathologist.
How do you make the Short U sound?
This vowel needs no special tongue or lip shape, so it is usually easy — cue it as the most relaxed sound in the mouth. Watch for it being replaced by short A (cat vowel) in words like "cup".
What are common Short U sound errors?
The most common short U errors are: Substituting the broad A sound (Broad A as in father) for the short U sound.; Substituting the short A sound (Short A as in cat) for the short U sound..
How do you practice medial Short U words at home?
Break each word into syllables and practice only the syllable holding the short U sound, then put the word back together. Clap out the syllables and give the syllable with the short U sound the strongest clap, so it does not get swallowed by the ones around it.

More Short U Word Lists & Resources

Practice the short U sound in the other word positions, or use the full sound guide and word list.

Initial Short U Words

14 words with tips

Short U Sound Guide

How to make it, common errors, FAQ

All Short U Words

Complete 28-word list, all positions

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each sound should appear

Speech Therapy Games

Practice Short U words with interactive activities

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