Ir

aɪə

fire /faɪər/

ɜː

girl /gɜːrl/

The letter combination "ir" has several different pronunciations, mainly /ɜːr/ and /aɪər/ when stressed. This article sets out some words teachers can use to help their students become more aware of the differences.

For "irr" see Decoding exercises: "irr".

Stressed

• /ɜːr/: bird - birth - circumstance - circle - confirm - firm - first - girl - Shirley - shirt - sir - Virginia
• /aɪr/: environment - virus
• /aɪər/: Ireland - iron

• with magic e: acquire - desire - entire - fire - hire - require - retire

• /ɪr/: Iraq - spirit

Unstressed

• /ər/: confirmation - expiration - giraffe - inspiration - perspiration - respiration - Virginia
• /ɪr/: miraculous - mirage

Variant pronunciations

• Iran /ɪˈræn, ɪˈrɑn, aɪˈræn/