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200+ ER Words Speech Therapy {Initial, Medial, & Final!}

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Do you have a speech therapy student working on the er sound? Then this blog post is just what you need! It has over 200 er words for speech therapy that will help strengthen your child or student’s /er/ sound. 

ER Words Speech Therapy

As Speech-language pathologists, we are always on the lookout for speech therapy word lists organized by word positions. 

That’s exactly why I’ve gone ahead and organized a list for you to use in therapy. Hopefully making your life a little simpler.

Correct Position

In the English language, the r sound is one of the most difficult sounds as well as one of the last sounds to develop. There are two different ways a speech therapist can teach tongue placement for r remediation. 

First, let’s review the two different variations of the right place for tongue movements for producing the r sound:

  • Retroflexed R
  • Bunched R

Both ways are very similar and vary in mid-tongue and tongue tip placements:

  • Teeth: The /r/ sound is made by having a slight gap between the teeth.
  • Lips: Lips should be in a neutral position and not rounded. (A rounded lip shape might lead to a /w/ in place of an /r/ sound, such as “wed” for the word “red”.
  • Sides of the Tongue: Be sure to place the sides of the tongue against the upper side of your teeth to allow for the passage of air to go down the center of the tongue.
  • Tongue Placement:
    • Retroflexed R: Have the mid-tongue somewhat tense but not bunched up. Then place the tip of the tongue pointing up just past the alveolar ridge.
    • Bunched R: Have the mid-tongue bunched up near the roof of the mouth. Then place the tip of the tongue pointing down or straight.
  • Air: Then blow a skinny stream of air over the center of your tongue (you do not want the air to come out the sides of the tongue).
  • Voice: The r sound is also a voiced sound so your voice box or vocal cords should vibrate. You can tell that their voice is turned on by touching your voice box on your neck and feeling it vibrate.

Types of R Sounds

  • Prevocalic R Words – is when the r sound comes before a vowel sound, such as an initial r word “red”. 
  • Vocalic R Words – s when the r sound comes after a vowel sound, such as: or, ar, er, ear, ire, air.

Target Words

Here’s a list of er articulation sounds for you to use in therapy or for at home practice to work on your student or child’s new skill.

  • For Example: earth, herb, earthquake, earn, herbal, turkey, shirt, camera, thermos, burn, farmer, officer, dollar, mother, older, teacher

See full list of words, phrases, and sentences below.

Be sure to grab my one page freebie of er sounds below. Simply scroll to the bottom of this post and grab your free copy!

Use the links below to help navigate this post:

R Word List

Here’s an r word list for you to use in therapy or at home practice to work on your student or child’s speech.

See full list of 1220+ R words at the word level, phrase level, and sentence level here.

Word Positions: ER Words Speech Therapy 

Initial Position of Words

The initial position of the er sound is at the beginning of a word. For example, “earn” or “earth”.

Medial Position of Words

Some words have the er sound in the medial position of a word, such as “circle”, “dirt”, and “turtle”.

Final Positions of Words

The final positions of words are when the target sound is at the end of a word or the final syllable. For example, “tiger” or “ladder”.

Need Different Sounds?

You won’t want to miss out on my complete growing list of all my articulation word lists!

ER Words at Word Level

Some ways to practice include having your child or student say each er word one by one as they go through a list. 

Using a dot marker can also be a fun way to practice having your child put a dot under each er sound. 

In addition, I’ve compiled an easy-to-download one page overview of er sounds below. Simply scroll down to the bottom of this post and download your free copy.

Practice in Flash Card Mode Right Here from Your Computer!

initial er earliest
initial er Earl
initial er earner
initial er earned
initial er Earnie
initial er earnest
initial er Irving
initial er urgent
initial er Earthling
initial er earth
initial er urchin
initial er earthworm
initial er Erma
initial er earthy
initial er irk
initial er urge
initial er earthquake
initial er earnings
initial er urban
initial er earlier
initial er early
initial er earn
initial er herb
initial er earliest initial er Earl initial er earner initial er earned initial er Earnie initial er earnest initial er Irving initial er urgent initial er Earthling initial er earth initial er urchin initial er earthworm initial er Erma initial er earthy initial er irk initial er urge initial er earthquake initial er earnings initial er urban initial er earlier initial er early initial er earn initial er herb

Initial ER Words Speech Therapy

  • 1 Syllable:  earth, earn, Earl, herb, urge, earned, irk
  • 2 Syllable: urban, earthquake, urgent, early, urchin, Ernie, Erma, earlier, earnest, earnings, earthling, earthy, earner, earthworm, Irving
  • 3 Syllable: earliest
1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable
earthurbanearliest
earnearthquake
earlurgent
herbearly
urgeurchin
earnedErnie
irkErma
earlier
earnest
earnings
earthling
earthy
earner
earthworm
Irving

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Practice in Flash Card Mode Right Here from Your Computer!

medial er burn
medial er bird
medial er allergic
medial er burp
medial er curb
medial er dirt
medial er blurry
medial er fern
medial er circle
medial er hurt
medial er internet
medial er flurry
medial er squirrel
medial er turn
medial er surf
medial er perm
medial er germ
medial er thirst
medial er thirty
medial er wilderness
medial er yurt
medial er skirt
medial er verb
medial er herd
medial er turf
medial er burn medial er bird medial er allergic medial er burp medial er curb medial er dirt medial er blurry medial er fern medial er circle medial er hurt medial er internet medial er flurry medial er squirrel medial er turn medial er surf medial er perm medial er germ medial er thirst medial er thirty medial er wilderness medial er yurt medial er skirt medial er verb medial er herd medial er turf

Medial ER Words Speech Therapy

  • 1 Syllable: berg, fern, herd, nerd, verb, germ, perm, term, bird, dirt, thirst, firm, skirt, turn, church, burn, hurt, surf, turf, curb, yurt, burp
  • 2 Syllable: Peru, sherpa, thirty, squirrel, flirty, circle, plural, blurry, scurry, flurry
  • 3 Syllable: energy, internal, internet, interest, leadership, wilderness, Anderson, conference, powerful, generous, difference, waterman, allergic, cleverness, bitterness, beverage, coverage, Doberman, offering, referral, property, wonderland, tolerant, thunderstorm, admiring, disturbing, alluring, figurine, security
  • 4 Syllable: Cinderella, vulnerable, measurable
  • 5 Syllable: alliteration, university, acceleration
1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable
bergPeruenergy
fernsherpainternal
herdthirtyinternet
nerdsquirrelinterest
verbflirtyleadership
germcirclewilderness
permpluralDoberman
termblurryconference
birdscurrypowerful
dirtflurrygenerous
thirstdifference
firmwaterman
skirtallergic
turncleverness
churchbitterness
burnbeverage
hurtcoverage
surfdoberman
turfoffering
curbreferral
yurtproperty
burpwonderland
tolerant
thunderstorm
admiring
disturbing
alluring
figurine
security
4 Syllable5 Syllable
Cinderellaalliteration
vulnerableuniversity
measurableacceleration

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Practice in Flash Card Mode Right Here from Your Computer!

final er badger
final er player
final er beaver
final er river
final er summer
final er father
final er burger
final er fever
final er teacher
final er ginger
final er flower
final er winter
final er pepper
final er paper
final er mother
final er her
final er sister
final er silver
final er lobster
final er tiger
final er layer
final er Jupiter
final er under
final er number
final er water
final er badger final er player final er beaver final er river final er summer final er father final er burger final er fever final er teacher final er ginger final er flower final er winter final er pepper final er paper final er mother final er her final er sister final er silver final er lobster final er tiger final er layer final er Jupiter final er under final er number final er water

Final ER Words Speech Therapy

  • 1 Syllable: her, ever, badger, player, layer
  • 2 Syllable: silver, water, over, amber, father, tiger, monster, river, after, sister, power, teacher, anger, mother, winter, other, under, better, wonder, number, lover, never, ginger, beaver, paper, pepper, Tyler, hunter, summer, fever, clever, flower, booger, peter, lobster, daughter, later, super, Denver, whisper, liver, quarter, thunder, soldier, meter, murder, soccer, matter, panther, order, ember, finger, shiver, brother, dinner, counter, weather, tender, driver, corner, center, tower, cider, master, chamber, glitter, leader, parker, stranger, offer, reindeer, hyper, baker, giver, litter, dumpster, otter, cover, filter, further, younger, helper, butter, closer, sweater, feather, supper, toddler, clover
  • 3 Syllable: forever, Jupiter, together, November, remember, computer, October, anteater, hamburger, character, December, disaster, receiver, discover, register, sunflower, perimeter
  • 4 Syllable: helicopter
1 Syllale2 Syllable3 Syllable4 Syllable
hersilverforeverhelicopter
everwaterOctober
badgerovertogether
playeramberNovember
layerfatherremember
tigercomputer
PetermonsterDecember
riveranteater
afterhamburger
sistercharacter
powerreceiver
teacherdisaster
angerTyler
motherdiscover
winterregister
othersunflower
underperimeter
better
wonder
number
lover
never
ginger
beaver
paper
pepper
Peter
hunter
summer
fever
clever
flower
booger
peter
lobster
daughter
later
super
Denver
whisper
liver
quarter
thunder
soldier
meter
murder
soccer
matter
panther
order
ember
finger
shiver
brother
dinner
counter
weather
tender
driver
corner
center
tower
cider
master
chamber
glitter
leader
parker
stranger
offer
clover
hyper
baker
giver
litter
dumpster
otter
cover
filter
further
younger
helper
butter
closer
sweater
feather
supper
toddler

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SEE ALSO: 21 Best Reinforcement Games for Speech Therapy

Short Sentences or Phrases

When working on the er sound production, it’s important to work on short phrases once your child or student has mastered the sound at the word level at or near 80% or higher accuracy.

Here is a list of er word phrases to try:

Initial ER Words Speech Therapy in Phrases

1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable
our earthurban growthearliest appointment
earn a coinearthquake hit
Earl laughedurgent message
herb gardenwoke up early
big urgesea urchin
earned moneymy friend Ernie
irk meErma smiled
called earlier
earnest student
saved his earnings
the earthling
earthy smell
sole earner
found an earthworm
Irving Texas

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Medial ER Words Speech Therapy in Phrases

1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable
Mrs. Bergvisit Perulots of energy
planted a fernwear a sherpainternal problem
herd of cowswill turn thirtyinternet is slow
proud to be a smart nerdsquirrel climbsinterested in science
is a verbflirty smileleadership skills
wash away germsdraw a circleloves the wilderness
has a permlearning about pluralsDoberman is a big dog
term of the contractblurry visiongo to the conference
firm handshakescurry quicklypowerful country
play in the dirtflurry of snowgenerous man
very thirstydifference in ideas
firm hand shakewaterman for the team
pink skirtallergic to bees
take turnscleverness is helpful
go to churchfelt bitterness
fire burnschose a beverage
is hurtcoverage of the game
like to surffirm handshake
laid down turfoffering help
by the curbgot a referral
stayed in a yurtinvestment property
burp the babyfelt like a wonderland
tolerant of him
big thunderstorm
admiring her
disturbing thought
alluring shine
small figurine
security clearance
4 Syllalbe5 Syllable
Cinderella storypractice alliteration
vulnerable feelinggoes to university
measurable liquidsfast acceleration

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Final ER Words Speech Therapy in Phrases

1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable4 Syllable
her friendsilver ringfeels like foreverhelicopter ride
happily ever afterwater bottleTyler waved
honey badgerover therestay together
soccer playeramber necklacebirthday is in November
layer cakewith her fatherremember your keys
tiger napscomputer broke
Peter clappedmonster gameOctober is my favorite
float on the riveranteater is an animal
after workate a hamburger
play with my sistercharacter development
power outagewide receiver
teacher helpswas a disaster
felt angerdiscover new things
mother hugsregister your account
winter sportssunflower fields
other choicemeasure the perimeter
under the bed
better option
wonder what will happen
number 5
lover is my favorite song
never went there
ginger tea
beaver built its home
color on paper
salt and pepper
Peter clapped
hunter has his gear
summer break
has a fever
clever girl
picked a flower
picked a booger
peter clapped
lobster for dinner
one daughter
be there later
super great idea
flew into Denver
whisper in the library
healthy liver
need a quarter
thunder is loud
soldier is tired
meter the water
soccer player
it does not matter
panther crept
will order a drink
ember from the fire
cut my finger
shiver in the cold
my brother is 6
made dinner
counter height
great weather
tender with her baby
called her driver
turn the corner
center of the room
tower is tall
apple cider
master bedroom
chamber doors
glitter is everywhere
leader was helpful
parker waved
don’t know the stranger
offer help
picked a clover
hyper child
skilled baker
is a giver
do no litter
dumpster is full
otter played
cover your cough
water filter
further down the road
younger sister
great helper
butter dish
closer to me
cozy sweater
light as a feather
supper is ready
toddler said hi

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Sentence Level: ER Words Speech Therapy

The next step after working at the word and phrase levels is to work on the er sound at the sentence level.

For example, you could give your child or student a list of sentences to read aloud while they work on their er sound. 

Another idea would be to give your child or student pictures with their er sound in them and then have them create a sentence about those pictures.

Below is a list of sentences to use with your child or students.

Initial ER Words Speech Therapy in Sentences

1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable
This is our earth.The urban growth is fast.I will take the earliest appointment.
He earned a coin.The earthquake was a surprise.
Earl laughed at his friend.I saw the urgent message.
I have a herb garden.I woke up early.
He has an urge to jump in the pool.She found a sea urchin.
He earned his money.This is my friend Ernie.
That will irk me.Erma smiled at me.
I called you earlier.
The earnest student worked hard.
He saved his earnings.
The earthlings live on earth.
It smells earthy.
He is the sole earner for his family.
They found an earthworm.
He is in Irving, Texas.

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Medial ER Words Speech Therapy in Sentences

1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable
Mrs. Berg teaches speech.She wants to visit Peru.The dog has lots of energy.
I planted a fern.I will wear a sherpa.This is an internal problem.
There is a herd of cows.She will turn thirty.The internet is slow.
I like nerd candies.The squirrel climbs the tree.I am interested in science.
Run is a verbShe gives a flirty smile.He has leadership skills.
Go and wash away the germs.I draw a circle.She loves the wilderness.
She has a perm.He is learning about plurals.Anderson smiled at me.
She agrees to the term of the contract.I have blurry vision.I went to the conference.
I see a blue-colored bird.The mouse will scurry quickly.I am interested in science.
They play in the dirt.I see a flurry of snow.He is a generous man.
He is very thirsty.There is a difference in ideas.
The Doberman is a big dog.I am the waterman for the team.
She wears a pink skirt.She is allergic to bees.
They will take turns.The Doberman is a big dog.
I will go to church.She felt bitterness.
The fire burns brightly.I chose a beverage to drink.
He is hurt.There is live coverage of the game.
I like to surf.The doberman is a big dog.
They laid down turf.I am offering help.
He will park by the curb.He got a referral.
We stayed in a yurt.This is an investment property.
It felt like a wonderland.
I will be tolerant of him.
This is a big thunderstorm.
I was admiring her dress.
He had a disturbing thought.
There is an alluring shine to the jewelry.
The small figurine broke.
He has a security clearance.
4 Syllable5 Syllable
I love the Cinderella story.He will practice alliteration.
He has a vulnerable feeling.She goes to university.
These are measurable liquids.The car has a fast acceleration.

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Final ER Words Speech Therapy in Sentences

1 Syllable2 Syllable3 Syllable4 Syllable
This is her friend.She wears a silver ring.It feels like forever.I went on my first helicopter ride.
There was a happily ever after.I lost my water bottle.Jupiter is a planet.
This is a honey badger.They are over there.They will stay together.
He is a soccer player.He wears an amber necklace.My birthday is in November.
I made a layer cake.She plays with her father.You need to remember your keys.
The tiger naps.My computer broke.
They play monster games.He plays as a wide receiver.
They float on the river.An anteater is an animal.
I will be there after work.I ate a hamburger.
I play with my sister.I read about character development.
There was a power outage.He plays as a wide reciever.
My teacher helps me.This was a disaster.
She felt anger.He picked his booger with a tissue.
My mother hugs me.I like to discover new things.
I enjoy winter sports.You should register your account.
I chose the other choice.I love sunflower fields.
My shoes are under the bed.He will measure the perimeter.
There is a better option.
I wonder what will happen.
I will order number 5.
Lover is my favorite song by Taylor Swift.
I never went there.
I made ginger tea.
The beaver built its home.
They color on paper.
I use salt and pepper.
Tyler waved to his friends.
The hunter has his gear.
They are on summer break.
He has a fever.
She is a clever girl.
I picked a flower.
A panther crept through the forest.
Peter clapped at the awards ceremony.
He ordered lobster for dinner.
She has one daughter.
I will be there later.
That is a super great idea.
We flew into Denver.
You should whisper in the library.
He has a healthy liver.
I need a quarter.
The thunder is loud.
The soldier is tired.
We meter the water.
He is a soccer player.
It does not matter to me.
He plays as a wide receiver.
I will order a drink later.
An ember from the fire floated to the sky.
I cut my finger.
We shiver in the cold.
My brother is 6 years old.
He made dinner.
The stools are counter height.
It is great weather today.
She is tender with her baby.
She called her driver.
Please turn the corner here.
The couch is in the center of the room.
That tower is tall.
I drank apple cider.
They redid the master bedroom.
The chamber doors opened.
There is glitter everywhere.
The leader was helpful.
Parker waved to his friends.
I do not litter.
She will offer help.
He picked a clover.
The hyper child jumped on a trampoline.
The skilled baker made cupcakes.
He is a giver.
The supper is ready.
The dumpster is full.
The otter played in the water.
You should cover your cough.
We need to replace the water filter.
I live further down the road.
This is my younger sister.
He is a great helper.
I broke the butter dish.
I wish you lived closer to me.
This is a cozy sweater.
It is light as a feather.
He plays as a wide receiver.
The toddler said hi.

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ER Words Speech Therapy Ideas

Below I’ve outlined some er freebies along with some other speech therapy activities that can be used to make your speech therapy sessions planning a breeze this year. 

Boom Cards

Boom cards are a fun and engaging way to strengthen your child or student’s articulation skills.

Here are a few favorite boom cards to work on the er sound: 

SEE ALSO: Free Articulation Games for Speech Therapy

Digital Downloads

Are you a speech therapist looking for er words to practice with your clients? 

Here are a couple of fun worksheets that you can use in your therapy room to work on the er sound.

Older Students

Finding appropriate articulation resources for older students can be difficult to find. Here are a few appropriate resources for your older students. 

SEE ALSO: 279+ Free Speech Therapy Digital Materials

Language Skills

Do you have students who are also working on their language therapy? If so, why not work on their therapy goals while you also work on their er sound?

Check out these ideas below:

Activity Book

Are you looking for a fun activity book to use while you work on your student’s er sound? Here are a few of my favorite no prep activity books!

Correct Production – Effective R Therapy

Do you have a student who is having a difficult time producing the correct sound? 

If so, here are a handful of different types of speech therapy exercises to help your speech students in the process of articulation therapy produce the tricky r sound. You can even grab a tongue depressor to use as a tactile cue.

In Conclusion: Speech Therapy R Sound Activities

We hope you have found this article helpful for working on your child or student’s er sound. 

Be sure to grab your free er sound pages below. 

The pages come in initial, medial, and final sound positions perfect for sending home, using for special education, or using in private practice.

Good luck!

Grab Your Free ER Word List with Pictures Here!

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