Which place of articulation involves the tongue tip on or near the alveolar ridge?

Which place of articulation involves the tongue tip on or near the alveolar ridge?

• A. Alveolar
• B. Bilabial
• C. Palatal
• D. Labiodental

Answer: (A)

In place of articulation, we’re looking at where in the vocal tract the constriction happens. When the tongue tip touches or comes very close to the alveolar ridge—the bony bump right behind the upper front teeth—that specific spot is called the alveolar place of articulation. Sounds produced here include the familiar consonants like t, d, s, z, n, and l, which all involve the tongue tip working against or near that ridge.

This contrasts with other places: bilabial uses both lips (like p, b, m); palatal uses the body of the tongue against the hard palate (like sh and the initial sound in yes); and labiodental uses the bottom lip against the upper teeth (like f and v). So, since the tongue tip on or near the alveolar ridge defines that particular articulation, the answer is the alveolar place.