The sounds /v/ and /f/, and writing a conversation

/v/ and /f/ are made in the same place: the lower lip touches the upper teeth, and air passes through the small gap.

The only difference: /v/ has a buzz (vibration) in the throat; /f/ does not. Put a finger on your throat and say 'fan', then 'van'. You will feel the buzz on 'van'.

/f/:

• at the start: forest, flowers, from;
• in the middle: deft, afternoon;
• at the end: itself.

/v/:

• at the start: vase, valour, victory;
• in the middle: woven, even, marvellous;
• at the end: hive.

(And 'of' is said with a /v/ sound: 'ov'.)

The fix is with your mouth: lip on teeth, then decide whether to switch on your voice.

Writing a conversation. Written dialogue is shaped so that every line does a job.

How:

• set the scene: where, when and with whom;
• choose the tone (formal or informal) and keep it the same;
• include the key information, and points of agreement and disagreement (if both agree at once, there is nothing to say);
• use brackets for feelings and actions: (hesitatingly), (sits down);
• add filler words like 'Uff', 'Er…', 'Ugh' so it sounds like real speech.

Example: Asma: '(hesitatingly) Yes, I do. But I'm not sure if it is good enough.' The bracket and the doubt together make it sound like a real person.