Which category includes sounds such as /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /sh/, /zh/, and /th/?

• A. Fricatives
• B. Stops
• C. Nasals
• D. Affricatives

Answer: (A)

These sounds are all produced by narrowing the airflow in the mouth enough to create continuous friction noise, rather than completely stopping the air. That makes them fricatives. When you say f, v, s, z, sh, zh, or the th sounds, you’re using a sustained, turbulent stream of air that sounds like a hiss or buzz. Some of these are voiceless (like f, s, sh, θ) and some are voiced (like v, z, zh, ð), but the common feature is the narrow constriction that produces friction rather than a total blockage.

In contrast, stops involve a momentary buildup of pressure from a complete closure (like p, t, k) followed by a release; nasals channel air through the nose (like m, n, ŋ); and affricatives blend a stop with a fricative (like ch, j as in tʃ, dʒ).