____________________are phonetic constituents that distinguish between phonemes (p. 77). Certain sound properties might be similar between phonemes, others dissimilar. Take [m] and [n] as examples. Both are similar in respect to manner of articulation, both are nasals. However, they are dissimilar in respect to place of articulation, bilabial in the case of [m], alveolar in the case of [n]. These dissimilar features establish [m] and [n] as separate phonemes of General American English. Distinctive features are used to analyze these similarities and dissimilarities. Distinctive features were envisioned as a means to categorize all the speech sounds in all the languages of the world.

Distinctive features are the most basic unit of phonological structure that can be analyzed. They concern classes that distinguish between phonemes such as manner and place of articulation. A different example than the one given in the question would be between the phonemes t and d. They are both alveolar phonemes - meaning the tip of the tongue touches the gum behind the front teeth. The distinctive feature between them is the fact that t is voiceless while d is voiced. That is, t does not use the vocal cords while d does.