Vowels 12 and 19, /ə/ versus /eə/     8 pairs
[coscares.html]

The schwa is spelled <er> or <or> in this list. The /eə/ diphthong is spelled <air>, <are>, and <ère> in the loan word première.

This is a contrast between a short vowel which is always unstressed and a diphthong. It is not a problem for learners.


coarser corsair
cos cares 		  
courser coursair
  coursers corsairs 
hector hectare 
  hectors hectares 
premier première 
  premiers premières 

John Higgins, Shaftesbury, December 2009
updated Chiang Mai, 2025