Do you know how to pronounce the sound OUGH? Because English is not a phonetic language, the answer is not simple. Discover the 7 ways to pronounce the sound OUGH.
A Video Summary about Pronunciation: ough
A few explanations about Pronunciation: ough
PRONUNCIATION OF ‘OUGH’
In some languages, you can look at a word and know immediately how to pronounce it. But in English you need to be a little more careful. Take the letters “OUGH”. They occur in many words, but they do not always sound the same.
In fact, there are SEVEN WAYS to pronounce OUGH!
THE FIRST WAY:
The most common way is to add a T at the end of OUGH forming the words:
- bought
- brought
- thought
- fought
These rhyme with port. This spelling pattern occurs in a few Past Simple verbs, like the common examples above, but also the less-used verbs sought (from seek), we also find it in ought and nought. The gh is silent. Students should be careful that they do not confuse the ht at the end with th
THE SECOND WAY:
- cough
- trough
These are examples of OUGH words where they sound made is like an F. They rhyme with and are pronounced like off. A trough is a long, narrow container that animals eat or drink out of. A trough is also the opposite of a peak in graphs.
THE THIRD WAY:
- rough
- tough
- enough
Also sound like an F but in a different form, you pronounce it as the F in Puff.
THE FOURTH WAY:
- dough
- though
- although
All rhythm with and are pronounced like Go but the GH is silent
THE FIFTH WAY:
- through
One of the most common OUGH words that is mispronounced by so many people (even native speakers!). However, it is the simplest pronunciation, it rhymes with and sounds like too!
THE SIXTH WAY:
- borough
- thorough
In both words, the stress falls on the first syllable and therefore the ough is only said weakly as a soft ah or schwa sound. This pronunciation always catches people out!
THE SEVENTH WAY:
- bough
- plough
- slough
Here are some uncommon words spelt with ough, they have yet another different pronunciation. A bough is the main branch of a tree. A plough is piece of farming equipment to turn the soil. A slough is a swamp, or a situation where nothing much is happening. You pronounce them with ow as in flower.
SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER:
~Unfortunately, these multiple pronunciations of < ough > have historical origins and there’s not much to do but memorise which one has which sound.
~English words are not always that difficult.
~However, in general, when you learn a new word, you should also make sure you know its pronunciation.
~If you use a good online dictionary, they often have an audio with the correct pronunciation of the new word
Exercises About Pronunciation: ough
Exercise 1: Try these sentences, see if you can remember the pronunciation of the OUGH word:
Exercise 2: Try these sentences, see if you can remember the pronunciation of the OUGH word:
Exercise 3: Complete each sentence with the correct word:
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