Which sounds are described as liquids?

• A. /l/ and /r/
• B. /h/ and /w/
• C. /d/ and /g/
• D. /s/ and /z/

Answer: (A)

Liquids are consonants produced with a relatively open, flowing constriction that lets air pass with little turbulence, giving them a vowel-like resonance. In English, the two main liquids are the lateral sounds /l/ and the rhotic sounds /r/.

The /l/ sound is produced with the tongue tip at the alveolar ridge while the air flows around the sides of the tongue, creating a clear, smooth resonance. The /r/ sound involves a relatively open tongue posture that shapes the oral cavity to create a rhotic resonance without a full stop or friction. Both are voiced in most contexts and can function as syllable nuclei in some languages, which is characteristic of liquids.

These are not liquids because stops (/d/ and /g/) involve a complete air blockage, fricatives (/s/ and /z/) produce continuous turbulence, or glides (/w/ and /j/) act as semivowels that glide toward a vowel.