The difference between vowels and consonants is that you don't need any efforts to produce the sound of the vowels , as they are original sounds. As against, consonants require some efforts to produce them; they are not original sounds. What are vowels and consonants ? Since time immemorial, an aspect that relates to vowels and consonants has been acknowledged. There exist dual complementary classes of sounds of speech. These are, broadly, consonants and vowels . Learn the definition, types and examples of vowels and consonants in English. Find out how to pronounce 20 vowel sounds and 24 consonant sounds with voiced and voiceless variations.