Closing diphthongs end with a glide towards / ɪ / or towards / ʊ /. The glide is towards a higher position in the mouth.
Closing diphthongs ending in / ɪ /
Characteristics
The glide begins in the position for / e /, moving up and slightly back towards / ɪ /. The lips are spread.
Examples:
cake, way, weigh, say, pain, they, vein
Characteristics
The glide begins in the position for / ɔ: /, moving up and forward towards / ɪ /. The lips start open and rounded and change to neutral.
Examples: toy, avoid, voice, enjoy, boy
Characteristics
The glide begins in an open position, between front and centre, moving up and slightly forward
towards / ɪ /. The lips move from neutral, to loosely spread.
Examples:
high, tie, buy, kite, might, cry, eye