Ignoring spelling, the three words below can be changed phonetically into new ones by making the same change to each. What is the change and what are the new words?

DRESS
DRIED
DRIVE

Answer:

The schwa, written as a reversed, inverted e, is the neutral vowel sound in an unaccented syllable - as the i in pencil or the o lemon.

By adding the schwa sound between the D and the R, the words change phonetically into new ones: 

DURESS
DERIDE
DERIVE

Credit: NY Times Crossword
January 21, 2007
Patrick Berry
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