Download the full article "Oral Motor Complexity Score: Organizing Speech Therapy Targets by Difficulty".
Oral Motor Complexity Score: Organizing Speech Therapy Targets by Difficulty
Structured speech therapy worksheets with items selected and organized based on the complexity of oral movements required to produce each word or syllable.
Introduction
These speech therapy worksheets are designed to support individuals with a range of speech and language difficulties. They are especially helpful for young children (ages 3–6) with developmental speech disorders such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), as well as for adults with motor speech impairments like dysarthria or other speech production and expressive language challenges. Unlike the general word banks available on my website, which are sorted by individual speech sounds for each consonant, these new worksheets contain monosyllabic words and syllables organized using a structured, multi-factor scoring system. This system increases clinical relevance by allowing words to be selected based on their complexity and the client’s current skill level. Some words also appear in the general word banks, but these therapy worksheets are arranged to enable gradual progression from simpler to more complex speech targets.
The worksheets focus on monosyllabic words and syllables containing a target consonant sound used in therapy (e.g., /b/). Scoring applies only to the target consonant and its immediate context, allowing focused practice on specific articulatory goals. By organizing words and syllables from easiest to most challenging based on five factors—consonant sound acquisition, place of articulation, vowel placement, consonant clusters, and word shape—the worksheets provide clinicians and caregivers with a practical tool to select therapy targets that align with a client’s current abilities, supporting steady and effective progress in speech-language intervention.
Scoring System
- Consonant Sound Acquisition
Consonants are scored based on the typical age of acquisition in children:
- Place of Articulation
When consonant scores are equal, this factor determines relative difficulty. Consonants produced at the front of the mouth are simpler:
- Vowel Placement
Vowels are scored based on tongue position, with front vowels being easier:
- Consonant Cluster Rule
Words are divided into two groups based on the target consonant /b/:
- Word Shape
When other scores are equal, word shape determines order:
Word Examples and Therapeutic Rationale
The following table summarizes the scoring for four example words containing /b/, ordered from easiest to most complex, based on the five criteria. Detailed explanations follow, illustrating how each word’s scores contribute to its therapeutic value.
|
Word |
Consonant Score |
Place Score |
Vowel Score |
Cluster Group |
Word Shape |
Total Score |
|
Bee |
1 (/b/) |
1 (/b/) |
1 (/i/) |
Group 1 |
CV |
3 |
|
Bin |
2 (/b/, /n/) |
3 (/b/, /n/) |
1 (/ɪ/) |
Group 1 |
CVC |
6 |
|
Bulb |
6 (/b/, /l/) |
4 (/b/, /l/) |
2 (/ʌ/) |
Group 2 |
CVCC |
12 |
|
Brick |
7 (/b/, /r/, /k/) |
6 (/b/, /r/, /k/) |
1 (/ɪ/) |
Group 2 |
CCVC |
14 |
Bee
- Consonant Sound Acquisition:
One consonant, /b/ (score 1, acquired ages 2–3). Total: 1.
Early-acquired sounds allow beginners to succeed, building confidence.
- Place of Articulation:
/b/ is a bilabial stop consonant (score 1), produced by closing both lips to stop airflow.
Bilabial articulation is simple, ideal for early learners.
- Vowel Placement:
/i/ (“see”) is a high front vowel (score 1), with the tongue positioned high and forward, requiring minimal movement for ease of production.
- Consonant Cluster Rule:
Group 1 (no cluster), reducing articulatory demands.
- Word Shape:
CV (consonant-vowel), the simplest shape, minimizing motor planning
Total Score: 3
Therapeutic Value: “Bee” is easy because it uses an early-acquired bilabial stop consonant, a high front vowel, no consonant cluster, and a simple CV shape. It is ideal for beginners, allowing focused practice on /b/ with minimal motor planning demands, promoting early success in therapy.
Bin
- Consonant Sound Acquisition:
Two consonants, /b/ (score 1, acquired ages 2–3) and /n/ (score 1, acquired ages 2–3). Total: 2.
Early-acquired sounds keep the word accessible for beginners.
- Place of Articulation:
/b/ is a bilabial stop consonant (score 1), produced by closing both lips to stop airflow;
/n/ is an alveolar nasal consonant (score 2), produced with the tongue tip at the alveolar ridge and nasal airflow. Total: 3.
The alveolar articulation adds slight complexity.
- Vowel Placement:
/ɪ/ (“sit”) is a near-high front vowel (score 1), with the tongue positioned forward and slightly below the high position, simplifying articulation.
- Consonant Cluster Rule:
Group 1 (no cluster), maintaining ease of articulation.
- Word Shape:
CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant), requiring coordination for the final consonant
Total Score: 6
Therapeutic Value: “Bin” is slightly more challenging than “bee” due to its second early-acquired consonant (/n/) and CVC shape, which requires sequencing a final consonant. The bilabial stop and alveolar nasal consonants, paired with a near-high front vowel, keep articulation manageable while promoting fluency and motor planning skills for beginners.
Bulb
- Consonant Sound Acquisition:
Two consonants, /b/ (score 1, acquired ages 2–3) and /l/ (score 3, acquired age 5). Total: 4.
The later-acquired /l/ increases difficulty.
- Place of Articulation:
/b/ is a bilabial stop consonant (score 1), produced by closing both lips to stop airflow;
/l/ is an alveolar lateral approximant (score 2), produced with the tongue tip at the alveolar ridge and air passing laterally. Total: 3.
Combining bilabial and alveolar articulation requires more coordination.
- Vowel Placement:
/ʌ/ (“cup”) is a mid central vowel (score 2), with the tongue positioned centrally at mid height, adding moderate articulatory complexity.
- Consonant Cluster Rule:
Group 2 (/lb/ cluster), increasing articulatory complexity.
- Word Shape:
CVCC (consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant), demanding advanced sequencing.
Total Score: 9
Therapeutic Value: “Bulb” is more challenging than “bee” or “bin” due to its later-acquired alveolar lateral approximant (/l/), mid central vowel, consonant cluster, and complex CVCC shape. It is suitable for intermediate clients ready to work on harder sounds and structures, enhancing articulatory precision and motor planning skills.
Brick
- Consonant Sound Acquisition:
Three consonants, /b/ (score 1, acquired ages 2–3), /r/ (score 4, acquired age 6+), and /k/ (score 2, acquired ages 3–4). Total: 7. The late-acquired /r/ significantly increases difficulty.
- Place of Articulation:
/b/ is a bilabial stop consonant (score 1), produced by closing both lips to stop airflow;
/r/ is an alveolar approximant (score 2), produced with the tongue tip near the alveolar ridge;
/k/ is a velar stop consonant (score 3), produced with the tongue back at the velum to stop airflow.
Total: 6; The velar articulation with alveolar approximant requires sophisticated tongue and velum control.
- Vowel Placement:
/ɪ/ (“sit”) is a near-high front vowel (score 1), with the tongue positioned forward and slightly below the high position, balancing complexity with simpler articulation.
- Consonant Cluster Rule:
Group 2 (/br/ cluster), requiring precise timing.
- Word Shape:
CCVC (consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant), a complex shape demanding advanced sequencing.
Total Score: 14
Therapeutic Value: The velar stop (/k/) demands precise coordination of the tongue and velum to fully stop airflow, while the alveolar approximant (/r/) requires intricate tongue shaping and fine control of airflow. Additionally, the co-articulation of all sounds in the word (/brɪk/) involves complex motor planning, making the word especially challenging to produce.
Therapeutic Benefits of the Scoring System
Each factor ensures therapy targets are tailored to a client’s abilities, supporting incremental progress:
- Consonant Sound Acquisition:
Early sounds (e.g., /b/, /n/ in “bee,” “bin”) are easier for young children or those with significant speech challenges, enabling early success and confidence. Later sounds (e.g., /l/, /r/ in “bulb,” “brick”) challenge clients as they progress.
- Place of Articulation:
Front sounds (e.g., /b/ in all words) are simple, requiring only lip movement, ideal for beginners. Middle (e.g., /n/, /l/ in “bin,” “bulb”) and back sounds (e.g., /k/ in “brick”) introduce more complex tongue movements, fostering articulatory growth.
- Vowel Placement:
Front vowels (e.g., /i/, /ɪ/ in “bee,” “bin,” “brick”) minimize tongue movement, suitable for early learners. Middle vowels (e.g., /ʌ/ in “bulb”) require more tongue control, supporting skill development.
- Consonant Cluster Rule:
Group 1 words (e.g., “bee,” “bin”) are easier, as they lack clusters, ideal for early therapy.
Group 2 words (e.g., “bulb,” “brick”) challenge clients to blend consonants, enhancing sequencing skills.
- Word Shape:
Simple CV and CVC shapes (e.g., “bee,” “bin”) are easy for beginners, while complex CVCC and CCVC shapes (e.g., “bulb,” “brick”) require advanced coordination, improving motor planning.
Using the Worksheets in Speech Therapy
The scoring system enables speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and caregivers to select words tailored to a client’s needs, grounded in evidence-based principles of speech sound development and motor planning. For example, a young child with speech sound disorders or an adult with dysarthria may start with simpler words like “bee” or “bin” to practice foundational phonemes and articulatory shapes. These early targets are ideal for building confidence and skills, regardless of age. For adults, age-appropriate words are chosen to ensure relevance, but the same principles of articulatory simplicity apply as for children. This structured approach is particularly valuable for parents and caregivers, who may lack deep clinical knowledge but can use the system’s clear progression to support therapy at home. Future iterations will include additional consonants to enhance applicability for clients with diverse articulation challenges.
Development and Practical Application
The scoring system was developed to provide a systematic, evidence-informed method for selecting therapy targets based on articulatory complexity. Drawing on clinical research in speech sound acquisition and motor planning, it offers a practical tool for SLPs to plan therapy and track progress while making the process accessible to caregivers. Unlike intuitive word selection often used by experienced SLPs, this framework quantifies word difficulty, bridging the gap for parents and non-experts. It fills a void in standardized tools for motor planning-based word selection and is designed to evolve through clinical use and research.
Limitations and Future Directions
Grounded in established principles of speech sound development, articulatory complexity, and motor planning, this scoring system is a novel tool that requires further validation through research and clinical application to confirm its effectiveness across diverse populations with speech and motor speech disorders. It complements clinical judgment and individualized assessment, serving as a flexible guide for therapy planning. Ongoing use and feedback will refine its utility for both SLPs and caregivers.
Adjust Targets for Clients with Atypical Sound Acquisition Patterns
Some clients produce later-acquired sounds like /s/ or /l/ before earlier-developing sounds such as /p/ or /n/. This unexpected pattern does not always reflect true underlying motor ability but may instead relate to differences in sensorimotor access, compensatory strategies, or individual variations in how the speech system is organized and recruited. In these cases, it’s essential to look beyond typical developmental norms and consider how accurately and consistently each sound is produced in the child’s current speech system. A sound that is traditionally labeled as “complex” may, in practice, be more stable and accessible for a given client. For example, if /s/ is consistently produced clearly and with minimal effort, it can be treated as an “easy” sound for therapy purposes—even if it is typically considered a late-acquired, high-complexity sound. This individualized, performance-based approach allows for more effective and tailored treatment planning.For more detail and examples, see my article Oral Motor Complexity Score... read more.
Contact and Collaboration
We welcome feedback, questions, or collaboration from clinicians, researchers, and caregivers. Please use the contact form on our website to discuss the system, share experiences, or contribute to its development.
______________
The following words are examples of varying articulatory difficulty, as calculated using the Oral Motor Complexity Score.
Words starting with 'b' + vowel/diphthong:
bee, bay, beau, boo, bough, bow, boy, buy, by, bye, bam, beam, beep, bib, ban, bean, Ben, bin, bum, bad, balm, bat, bead, bed, beef, beet, bet, bid, biff, bit, bob, bomb, boob, boom, bop, bun, back, bag, bane, bang, bass, beak, beck, bees, beg, big, biz, bon, bone, boon, bud, but, butt, bump, badge, bait, batch, bath, beach, bear, beech, beer, bell, bide, bier, bill, bite, boat, boot, bought, bout, bowed, buck, bug, bus, buss, buzz, byte, bake, base, bike, bog, book, booze, boss, budge, band, bend, bent, bail, bale, ball, bar, bathe, bawl, boil, boll, booth, botch, both, bowl, bull, beans, beige, bosh, bush, beast, bench, best, bind, bond, bound, bulb, backs, bank, beard, belt, billed, bisque, bounce, build, built, burn, bust, barn, based, bears, bird, boost, born, bunk, bald, barf, bold, bolt, bored, box, bark, birch, birth, bourse, burl, barge, burst
Group 1 (non-clusters):
bee: Total Score=3, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CV, IPA=bi
bay: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=beɪ
beau: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=boʊ
boo: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=bu
bough: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=baʊ
bow: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=boʊ
boy: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=bɔɪ
buy: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=baɪ
by: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=baɪ
bye: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CV, IPA=baɪ
bam: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæm
beam: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bim
beep: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bip
bib: Total Score=5, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪb
ban: Total Score=6, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæn
bean: Total Score=6, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bin
Ben: Total Score=6, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɛn
bin: Total Score=6, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪn
bum: Total Score=6, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bəm
bad: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæd
balm: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɑm
bat: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæt
bead: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bid
bed: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɛd
beef: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bif
beet: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bit
bet: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɛt
bid: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪd
biff: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪf
bit: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪt
bob: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɑb
bomb: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɔm
boob: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bub
boom: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bum
bop: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɑp
bun: Total Score=7, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bən
back: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæk
bag: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæg
bane: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=beɪn
bang: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæŋ
bass: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæs
beak: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bik
beck: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɛk
bees: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=biz
beg: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɛg
big: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪg
biz: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪz
bon: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɑn
bone: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=boʊn
boon: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bun
bud: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bəd
but: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bət
butt: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bət
bump: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bəmp
badge: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæʤ
bait: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=beɪt
batch: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæʧ
bath: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bæθ
beach: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=biʧ
bear: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɛr
beech: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=biʧ
beer: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪr
bell: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɛl
bide: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=baɪd
bier: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bir
bill: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɪl
bite: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=baɪt
boat: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=boʊt
boot: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=but
bought: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɔt
bout: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=baʊt
bowed: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=boʊd
buck: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bək
bug: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bəg
bus: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bəs
buss: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bəs
buzz: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bəz
byte: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=baɪt
bake: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=beɪk
base: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=beɪs
bike: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=baɪk
bog: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɔg
book: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bʊk
booze: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=buz
boss: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɔs
budge: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bəʤ
band: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bænd
bend: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɛnd
bent: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɛnt
bail: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=beɪl
bale: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=beɪl
ball: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɔl
bar: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɑr
bathe: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=beɪð
bawl: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɔl
boil: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɔɪl
boll: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=boʊl
booth: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=buθ
botch: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɑʧ
both: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=boʊθ
bowl: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=boʊl
bull: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bʊl
beans: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=binz
beige: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=beɪʒ
bosh: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bɑʃ
bush: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVC, IPA=bʊʃ
beast: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bist
bench: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɛnʧ
best: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɛst
bind: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=baɪnd
bond: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɑnd
bound: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=baʊnd
bulb: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bəlb
backs: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bæks
bank: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bæŋk
beard: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɪrd
belt: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɛlt
billed: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɪld
bisque: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɪsk
bounce: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=baʊns
build: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɪld
built: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɪlt
burn: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bərn
bust: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bəst
barn: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɑrn
based: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=beɪst
bears: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɛrz
bird: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bərd
boost: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bust
born: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɔrn
bunk: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bəŋk
bald: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɔld
barf: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɑrf
bold: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=boʊld
bolt: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=boʊlt
bored: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɔrd
box: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɑks
bark: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɑrk
birch: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bərʧ
birth: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bərθ
bourse: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɔrs
burl: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bərl
barge: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCC, IPA=bɑrʤ
burst: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other, IPA=bərst
Words starting with 'b' + consonant:
bleep, blip, blow, blue, bra, brow, blame, bleed, blob, bloom, brat, bread, bred, breed, brief, broom, blimp, black, bleak, bless, bliss, blood, bluff, brag, brain, brass, breeze, brick, brig, brine, bring, brown, blade, bleach, braid, breach, breath, breathe, breech, bride, bridge, bright, Broad, brood, brought, brute, brail, blaze, block, bloke, blouse, blues, blur, brace, brake, brave, break, broke, brook, bruise, bland, blend, brand, blithe,, Braille, broach, broil, broth, brush, blunt, blanch, blast, blessed, blest, blind, blond, blonde, branch, breast, browned, blacks, blank, blink, bricks, brink, brisk, brunch, blurred, brusque, blocks
Group 2 (clusters):
bleep: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blip
blip: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blɪp
blow: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other, IPA=bloʊ
blue: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other, IPA=blu
bra: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other, IPA=brɑ
brow: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other, IPA=braʊ
blame: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bleɪm
bleed: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blid
blob: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blɑb
bloom: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blum
brat: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bræt
bread: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɛd
bred: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɛd
breed: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brid
brief: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brif
broom: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brum
blimp: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blɪmp
black: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blæk
bleak: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blik
bless: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blɛs
bliss: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blɪs
blood: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bləd
bluff: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bləf
brag: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bræg
brain: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=breɪn
brass: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bræs
breeze: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=briz
brick: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɪk
brig: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɪg
brine: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=braɪn
bring: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɪŋ
brown: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=braʊn
blade: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bleɪd
bleach: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bliʧ
braid: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=breɪd
breach: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=briʧ
breath: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɛθ
breathe: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brið
breech: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=briʧ
bride: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=braɪd
bridge: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɪʤ
bright: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=braɪt
Broad: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɔd
brood: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brud
brought: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɔt
brute: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brut
brail: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=Other, IPA=bræɪl
blaze: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bleɪz
block: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blɑk
bloke: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bloʊk
blouse: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blaʊs
blues: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bluz
blur: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blər
brace: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=breɪs
brake: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=breɪk
brave: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=breɪv
break: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=breɪk
broke: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=broʊk
brook: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brʊk
bruise: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=bruz
bland: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blænd
blend: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blɛnd
brand: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=brænd
blithe,: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=blaɪð,
Braille: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=breɪl
broach: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=broʊʧ
broil: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɔɪl
broth: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brɔθ
brush: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CCVC, IPA=brəʃ
blunt: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blənt
blanch: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blænʧ
blast: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blæst
blessed: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blɛst
blest: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blɛst
blind: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blaɪnd
blond: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blɑnd
blonde: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blɑnd
branch: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=brænʧ
breast: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=brɛst
browned: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=braʊnd
blacks: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blæks
blank: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blæŋk
blink: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blɪŋk
bricks: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=brɪks
brink: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=brɪŋk
brisk: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=1, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=brɪsk
brunch: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=brənʧ
blurred: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blərd
brusque: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=brəsk
blocks: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CCVCC, IPA=blɑks
For more complex word shapes, here is an example of how I sorted and scored them within the therapy framework. I assigned a score to the overall word complexity after analyzing all the sounds that make up the entire word—not just the first syllable or the syllable containing the target sound.
Why? Because in practice, at more advanced stages of therapy when multisyllabic words are introduced, I wanted the selected words to be as simple as possible in terms of overall motoric complexity. However, since a complex word is built from its syllables, I preserved phonological syllabification for consistency.
All words in these cases are divided using phonetic syllabification. For example, the word "blubber" is shown as blu-bber based on how it’s pronounced, rather than blub-ber, which reflects its spelling.
This hyphenation reflects phonological syllable boundaries, which are more relevant to speech motor planning. It ensures that syllable shapes (e.g., CV, CVC, CCV) are analyzed based on how the word is actually produced in speech—not how it’s written.
You can read more about this approach in the article “Why I Chose Phonetic Syllabification for Speech Therapy” available on the website.
Words starting with 'b' + vowel/diphthong:
bu-oy, bu-nny, ba-by, Be-tty, bo-ney, be-lly, Bi-lly, busy, ban-dy, be-rry, bo-dy, bu-ry, ba-boon, bai-ley, be-gin, be-low, bi-llow, bi-tten, bo-bbin, bow-man, bu-lly, bu-rry, ba-leen, ba-llon, ba-rrow, ba-ton, bat-man, be-ckon, be-neath, be-yond, bea-con, bi-ro, bo-wel, bow tie, bu-tton, ba-guette, ban-ger, be-came, be-long, be-tween, bee-per, bi-llet, bi-son, bin-bag, bin-go, bo-ttom, bo-wer, bou-quet, bow-ling, bu-bble, bun-chy, buyer, ba-llad, ba-llot, ba-ttle, be-lieve, be-side, be-stow, bea-dle, bear paw, bee moth, bee-hive, bee-tle, bo-rrow, boun-cing, bu-cket, bu-ried, ba-ses, ba-sil, ba-tter, bag-pipe, ban-jo, bare-ly, be-cause, be-hind, be-rries, bi-tter, bu-ttock, ba-lance, ba-rrel, back-er, back-pack, be-fore, be-tray, bea-ker, bea-ver, bed-bug, bed-time, bi-ceps, bi-llion, bo-lus, bo-ttle, bu-ckle, bu-tter, bum-per, ba-gel, ban-dage, bap-tize, bath-tub, ben-der, bo-wels, bo-xing, bun-hair, Ba-dger, ba-ker, ba-zaar, ban-ker, bas-ket, bear cub, bed-room, bes-towed, bi-ggest, bike-path, bis-cuit, bow-ler, ba-rrage, bar-bell, base-ball, base-ment, beach-ball, big-foot, bo-ther, bok choy, bore-dom, bu-ttocks, bun-ker, ba-salt, bare-foot, bath-robe, bath-room, buil-der, bur (burr), bus-ter, bike-rack, bob-sled, boo-ster, bus stop, bear claw, bird-bath, bo-xer, book-case, boy-friend, bull-dog, bull-doze, back-ward, bar code, bill-board, birth-day, boar-der, book-worm, bor-der, bill-fold, bus-tard, back-yard, bald-spot, board wood, ball-park, bob-sleigh, book-mark, book-shelf, bank-vault, bench-mark, book-store, back-ground, bird’s nest, bull-frog, bur-glar, barn-yard, birth-mark
Words starting with 'b' + vowel/diphthong:
buo-y, ba-by, Be-tty, bu-nny, bo-ney, bu-sy, be-lly, be-rry, Bi-lly, bo-dy, bu-ry, ban-dy, bu-rry, ba-boon, ba-rrow, bai-ley, be-gin, be-low, bi-llow, bi-ro, bi-tten, bo-bbin, bow tie, bow-man, bu-lly, ba-guette, ba-ton, bat-man, be-came, be-ckon, be-neath, be-yond, bea-con, bee-per, bo-ttom, bo-wel, bo-wer, bou-quet, bu-tton, bu-yer, ba-leen, ba-llon, bear paw, bee moth, bi-llet, bin bag, bo-rrow, bu-bble, bu-cket, bu-ried, bun-chy, ba-llad, ba-llot, ba-tter, ba-ttle, bag-pipe, ban-jo, be-cause, be-lieve, be-rries, be-side, be-stow, be-tween, bea-dle, bee-hive, bee-tle, bi-son, bi-tter, bu-ttock, ba-cker, ba-ses, ba-sil, back-pack, ban-ger, bare-ly, be-fore, be-tray, bea-ker, bea-ver, bed-bug, bed-time, bin-go, bu-tter, bum-per, Ba-dger, ba-rrel, ban-dage, bap-tize, bath-tub, be-hind, be-long, bo-ttle, bow-ling, bu-ckle, ba-gel, ba-ker, ba-zaar, bear cub, bed-room, ben-der, bi-ceps, bo-lus, bo-wels, bun hair, ba-lance, bas-ket, bes-towed, bi-ggest, bi-llion, big-foot, bike path, bis-cuit, bo-ther, bok choy, bore-dom, boun-cing, bow-ler, ba-rrage, bar-bell, bare-foot, bath-robe, bath-room, beach ball, beach ball, bu-ttocks, bur (burr), ban-ker, base-ball, base-ment, bo-xing, buil-der, bus-ter, ba-salt, bike rack, bird-bath, boo-ster, bun-ker, bar code, bear claw, birth-day, bo-xer, boar-der, bob-sled, book-case, bor-der, boy-friend, bull-dog, bull-doze, bus stop, back-ward, bill-board, book-worm, bus-tard, back-yard, bill-fold, board wood, book-mark, ball-park, bench-mark, book-shelf, book-store, back-ground, bald spot, bob-sleigh, bull-frog, bur-glar, bank vault, bird’s nest, barn-yard, birth-mark
Group 1 (non-clusters):
buo-y: Total Score=6, Consonant Score=1, Place Score=1, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVV, IPA=bui
ba-by: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=2, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=beɪbi
Be-tty: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɛti
bu-nny: Total Score=8, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bəni
bo-ney: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=2, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=boʊni
bu-sy: Total Score=9, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɪzi
be-lly: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɛli
be-rry: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɛri
Bi-lly: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɪli
bo-dy: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɑdi
bu-ry: Total Score=10, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɛri
ban-dy: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bændi
bu-rry: Total Score=11, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bəri
ba-boon: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bəbun
ba-rrow: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɛroʊ
bai-ley: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=beɪli
be-gin: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪgɪn
be-low: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɪloʊ
bi-llow: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɪloʊ
bi-ro: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɪroʊ
bi-tten: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪtən
bo-bbin: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɑbən
bow tie: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=boʊ taɪ
bow-man: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=boʊmən
bu-lly: Total Score=12, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bʊli
ba-guette: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bægɛt
ba-ton: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bætɑn
bat-man: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bætmæn
be-came: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪkeɪm
be-ckon: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɛkən
be-neath: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪniθ
be-yond: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVVCC, IPA=bɪɔnd
bea-con: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bikən
bee-per: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bipər
bo-ttom: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɑtəm
bo-wel: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVVC, IPA=baʊəl
bo-wer: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVVC, IPA=baʊər
bou-quet: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=3, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bukeɪ
bu-tton: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=4, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bətən
bu-yer: Total Score=13, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVVC, IPA=baɪər
ba-leen: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bəlin
ba-llon: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bælən
bear paw: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bɛr pɔ
bee moth: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bi mɔθ
bi-llet: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪlɪt
bin bag: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɪn bæg
bo-rrow: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=3, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCV, IPA=bɑroʊ
bu-bble: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=4, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bəbəl
bu-cket: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bəkɪt
bu-ried: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɛrid
bun-chy: Total Score=14, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bənʧi
ba-llad: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bæləd
ba-llot: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bælət
ba-tter: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bætər
ba-ttle: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bætəl
bag-pipe: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bægpaɪp
ban-jo: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bænʤoʊ
be-cause: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪkəz
be-lieve: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪliv
be-rries: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɛriz
be-side: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bisaɪd
be-stow: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bɪstoʊ
be-tween: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɪtwin
bea-dle: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bidəl
bee-hive: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bihaɪv
bee-tle: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bitəl
bi-son: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=baɪsən
bi-tter: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪtər
bu-ttock: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bətək
ba-cker: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bækər
ba-ses: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=beɪsɪz
ba-sil: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bæzəl
back-pack: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bækpæk
ban-ger: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bæŋər
bare-ly: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bɛrli
be-fore: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bifɔr
be-tray: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bɪtreɪ
bea-ker: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bikər
bea-ver: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bivər
bed-bug: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɛdbəg
bed-time: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɛdtaɪm
bin-go: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bɪŋgoʊ
bu-tter: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bətər
bum-per: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bəmpər
Ba-dger: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bæʤər
ba-rrel: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɛrəl
ban-dage: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bændɪʤ
bap-tize: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bæptaɪz
bath-tub: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bæθtəb
be-hind: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=5, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVCC, IPA=bɪhaɪnd
be-long: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɪlɔŋ
bo-ttle: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɑtəl
bow-ling: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=boʊlɪŋ
bu-ckle: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bəkəl
ba-gel: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=beɪgəl
ba-ker: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=beɪkər
ba-zaar: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bəzɑr
bear cub: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɛr kəb
bed-room: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɛdrum
ben-der: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɛndər
bi-ceps: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVCC, IPA=baɪsɛps
bo-lus: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=boʊləs
bo-wels: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVVCC, IPA=baʊəlz
bun hair: Total Score=18, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bən hɛr
ba-lance: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVCC, IPA=bæləns
bas-ket: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bæskət
bes-towed: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɪstoʊd
bi-ggest: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCVCC, IPA=bɪgəst
bi-llion: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɪljən
big-foot: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɪgfʊt
bike path: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=baɪk pæθ
bis-cuit: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɪskət
bo-ther: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bɑðər
bok choy: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCV, IPA=bɑk ʧɔɪ
bore-dom: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɔrdəm
boun-cing: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=baʊnsɪŋ
bow-ler: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=boʊlər
ba-rrage: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVC, IPA=bərɑʒ
bar-bell: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɑrbɛl
bare-foot: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɛrfʊt
bath-robe: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bæθroʊb
bath-room: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bæθrum
beach ball: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=biʧ bɔl
beach ball: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=biʧ bɔl
bu-ttocks: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCVCC, IPA=bətəks
bur (burr): Total Score=20, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bər (bər)
ban-ker: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bæŋkər
base-ball: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=beɪsbɔl
base-ment: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=beɪsmənt
bo-xing: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɑksɪŋ
buil-der: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɪldər
bus-ter: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bəstər
ba-salt: Total Score=22, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCVCC, IPA=bəsɔlt
bike rack: Total Score=22, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=baɪk ræk
bird-bath: Total Score=22, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCCVC, IPA=bɪrdbæθ
boo-ster: Total Score=22, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bustər
bun-ker: Total Score=22, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bəŋkər
bar code: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɑr koʊd
bear claw: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCCV, IPA=bɛr klɔ
birth-day: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCCV, IPA=bərθdeɪ
bo-xer: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɑksər
boar-der: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɔrdər
bob-sled: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCCVC, IPA=bɑbslɛd
book-case: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bʊkkeɪs
bor-der: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bɔrdər
boy-friend: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bɔɪfrɛnd
bull-dog: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bʊldɔg
bull-doze: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCVC, IPA=bʊldoʊz
bus stop: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCCVC, IPA=bəs stɑp
back-ward: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bækwərd
bill-board: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bɪlbɔrd
book-worm: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bʊkwərm
bus-tard: Total Score=25, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bəstərd
back-yard: Total Score=26, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bækjɑrd
bill-fold: Total Score=26, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bɪlfoʊld
board wood: Total Score=26, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCCVC, IPA=bɔrd wʊd
book-mark: Total Score=26, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bʊkmɑrk
ball-park: Total Score=27, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bɔlpɑrk
bench-mark: Total Score=28, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=12, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCCVCC, IPA=bɛnʧmɑrk
book-shelf: Total Score=28, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCVCC, IPA=bʊkʃɛlf
book-store: Total Score=28, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCCVC, IPA=bʊkstɔr
back-ground: Total Score=29, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=13, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCCVCC, IPA=bækgraʊnd
bald spot: Total Score=29, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCCCVC, IPA=bɔld spɑt
bob-sleigh: Total Score=29, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=12, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCCVVCC, IPA=bobslɛɪgh
bull-frog: Total Score=29, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCCVC, IPA=bʊlfrɔg
bur-glar: Total Score=29, Consonant Score=15, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCCVC, IPA=bərglər
bank vault: Total Score=31, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=13, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=CVCCCVCC, IPA=bæŋk vɔlt
bird’s nest: Total Score=31, Consonant Score=16, Place Score=13, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=CVCCCCVCC, IPA=bird’s* nɛst
barn-yard: Total Score=32, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=12, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=CVCCCVCC, IPA=bɑrnjɑrd
birth-mark: Total Score=32, Consonant Score=16, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=CVCCCVCC, IPA=bərθmɑrk
Words starting with 'b' + consonant:
bloo-dy, brai-ny, brow-nie, blea-ry, blo-wing, blu-rry, bran-dy, blo-wer, bra-cket, bri-ar, bru-nette, bla-zon, black sea, blo-ssom, blu-bber, blue jay, blue-bell, bu-tane, bla-dder, blue jean, bri-quette, bro-ken, bra-ces, Bra-zil, bri-stle, blea-cher, blo-tter, black cat, black sheep, black-ness, blan-ket, blen-der, blin-ker, blo-cker, blue whale, bra-cer, brea-ker, bro-ther, bron-co, brow-ser, blue jays, blue-bird, blun-der, bris-ket, bli-ster, bli-zzard, bread sauce, Brief-case, blue-print, blus-ter, bri-stles, brown sauce, black-smith, blood test, blood-hound, brace-let, broom-stick, black-board, blond hair, break-fast, blow torch, blue-prints, brick-yard
Group 2 (clusters):
bloo-dy: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCV, IPA=blədi
brai-ny: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCV, IPA=breɪni
brow-nie: Total Score=15, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCV, IPA=braʊni
blea-ry: Total Score=16, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCV, IPA=blɪri
blo-wing: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=7, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVVC, IPA=bloʊɪŋ
blu-rry: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCV, IPA=bləri
bran-dy: Total Score=17, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCV, IPA=brændi
blo-wer: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVVC, IPA=bloʊər
bra-cket: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=brækɪt
bri-ar: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=5, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVVC, IPA=braɪər
bru-nette: Total Score=19, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=brunɛt
bla-zon: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blæzon
black sea: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCV, IPA=blæk si
blo-ssom: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blɑsəm
blu-bber: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=bləbər
blue jay: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=Other--CCVCV, IPA=blu ʤeɪ
blue-bell: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=6, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blubɛl
bu-tane: Total Score=20, Consonant Score=6, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=bjuteɪn
bla-dder: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blædər
blue jean: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blu ʤin
bri-quette: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVVVCCV, IPA=brɪqʌɛttɛ
bro-ken: Total Score=21, Consonant Score=8, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=broʊkən
bra-ces: Total Score=22, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=breɪsɪz
Bra-zil: Total Score=22, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=brəzɪl
bri-stle: Total Score=22, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=brɪsəl
blea-cher: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=bliʧər
blo-tter: Total Score=23, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blɑtər
black cat: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=blæk kæt
black sheep: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=blæk ʃip
black-ness: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=blæknəs
blan-ket: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=blæŋkɪt
blen-der: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=blɛndər
blin-ker: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=blɪnkɛr
blo-cker: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blɑkər
blue whale: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=10, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blu weɪl
bra-cer: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=breɪsər
brea-ker: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=breɪkər
bro-ther: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=brəðər
bron-co: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=9, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCV, IPA=brɑŋkoʊ
brow-ser: Total Score=24, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=7, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=braʊzər
blue jays: Total Score=25, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVC, IPA=blu ʤeɪz
blue-bird: Total Score=25, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=8, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVCC, IPA=blubərd
blun-der: Total Score=25, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=bləndər
bris-ket: Total Score=25, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=brɪskət
bli-ster: Total Score=26, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=blɪstər
bli-zzard: Total Score=26, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVCC, IPA=blɪzərd
bread sauce: Total Score=26, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=brɛd sɔs
Brief-case: Total Score=26, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=brifkeɪs
blue-print: Total Score=27, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVCC, IPA=bluprɪnt
blus-ter: Total Score=27, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=bləstər
bri-stles: Total Score=27, Consonant Score=15, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVCC, IPA=brɪsəlz
brown sauce: Total Score=27, Consonant Score=12, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=braʊn sɔs
black-smith: Total Score=28, Consonant Score=15, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=2, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCCVC, IPA=blæksmɪθ
blood test: Total Score=28, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVCC, IPA=bləd tɛst
blood-hound: Total Score=28, Consonant Score=11, Place Score=12, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVCC, IPA=blədhaʊnd
brace-let: Total Score=28, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=9, Vowel Score=5, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVC, IPA=breɪslət
broom-stick: Total Score=28, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCCVC, IPA=brumstɪk
black-board: Total Score=29, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=11, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVCC, IPA=blækbɔrd
blond hair: Total Score=29, Consonant Score=13, Place Score=12, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCCVC, IPA=blɑnd hɛr
break-fast: Total Score=29, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=12, Vowel Score=3, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVCC, IPA=brɛkfəst
blow torch: Total Score=30, Consonant Score=14, Place Score=10, Vowel Score=6, Word Shape=Other--CCVCVCC, IPA=bloʊ tɔrʧ
blue-prints: Total Score=32, Consonant Score=16, Place Score=12, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVCCC, IPA=bluprɪnts
brick-yard: Total Score=32, Consonant Score=15, Place Score=13, Vowel Score=4, Word Shape=Other--CCVCCVCC, IPA=brɪkjɑrd
___________
Note on Cluster Complexity
You may notice in our CAS analysis that some words where the target consonant 'b' is followed by a vowel or diphthong (non-cluster, e.g., "bear" /bɛr/) have complexity scores equal to or higher than words where 'b' is followed by a consonant, forming a cluster (e.g., "brick" /brɪk/). This may seem unexpected, as clusters are more challenging for children with CAS. Below, I explain why this occurs, why 'b' in a cluster is harder, and how our analysis addresses this.
Our scoring system calculates the complexity of the target consonant 'b' combined with other sounds in a word’s IPA transcription. The score is the sum of three components:
- Consonant acquisition score (e.g., b = 1, r = 4, based on age of acquisition).
- Place of articulation score (e.g., bilabial = 1, tongue-tip = 2).
- Vowel placement score (e.g., front vowels = 1, diphthongs = 3).
Then, words are grouped into non-cluster (Group 1, 'b' + vowel/diphthong) and cluster (Group 2, 'b' + consonant) categories and sorted by score within each group, with non-cluster words listed first.
The reason non-cluster and cluster words can have similar scores is that the formula sums individual sound scores without accounting for whether 'b' is in a cluster syllable. For example: • Bear (/bɛr/, non-cluster) has consonants b (1) + r (4) = 5, place b (1) + r (2) = 3, vowel ɛ (1) = 1, totaling 9. • Brick (/brɪk/, cluster) has consonants b (1) + r (4) = 5, place b (1) + r (2) = 3, vowel ɪ (1) = 1, also totaling 9. The score does not reflect the increased difficulty of producing 'b' in the /br/ cluster.
In CAS, producing 'b' in a cluster syllable like /br/ is more challenging because it requires rapid coordination between two consonants, increasing motor planning demands compared to a non-cluster syllable like /bɛ/, where the transition is simpler.
To address this, one could optionally add a penalty of 50 to cluster word scores to reflect the added difficulty of 'b' in a cluster. The formulas would be:
- Non-cluster: Score = Consonant Acquisition + Place + Vowel (e.g., Bear = 5 + 3 + 1 = 9).
- Cluster: Score = Consonant Acquisition + Place + Vowel + 50 (e.g., Brick = 5 + 3 + 1 + 50 = 59).
This penalty is not implemented in our analysis but can be applied manually if needed.
Our goal was to order words by difficulty, separating non-cluster (easier) and cluster (harder) words. By listing non-cluster words before cluster words, we align with the increasing motor planning complexity in CAS, supporting effective therapy planning. For questions or further examples, please contact me.
You are not authorised to post comments.
Comments will undergo moderation before they get published.