7 ways to pronounce -OUGH in English
Today blog is all about getting specific with pronunciation. So many times in English, the spelling does not match the pronunciation, and O-U-G-H is no exception! But don’t worry! We will go through this together step by step, and by the end of this blog, you will know 7 ways to pronounce OUGH in English. Let’s go!
#1 OUGH sounds like /ʌf/
(The same sound as ‘stuff‘.)
I’ve had enough food. I’m really full.
Do we have enough time to eat dinner before the concert begins?
I think it’s getting cold enough for snow.
I’m feeling a bit rough. I might stay home today.
It’s tough finding a new job when you’ve just graduated.
#2 OUGH sounds like /u:/
(The same sound as ‘too‘.)
We drove through several tunnels to get here.
Look through these binoculars. Can you see that deer in the distance?
I can’t find my birth certificate anywhere. I’ve already looked through all of these papers.
#3 OUGH sounds like /oʊ/
(The same sound as ‘no‘.)
I really love traveling. I don’t like flying, though.
Even though my sister is five years younger than me, she graduated from university before me!
I want to learn more about ‘though’ and ‘even though’.
I always make my own pizza dough.
My mom makes homemade dumplings and she makes the dough from scratch.
The detectives thoroughly examined the crime scene.
Thank you very much for your thorough explanation.
Thorough
American English θɜːroʊ
British English θʌr.ə
Thoroughly
American English θɜːroʊli:
British English θʌr.ə.li
#4 OUGH sounds like…
American English – /ɑː/
(The same sound as ‘saw’.)
British English – /ɔː/
I thought about you a lot yesterday.
I thought Dwayne’s remark was a little inappropriate.
My brother and I bought motorcycles to fix up.
When my sister and I were younger, we fought like crazy.
#5 OUGH sounds like /aʊ/
(The same sound as ‘now‘.)
The drought has affected this region for over six months.
A farmer uses a plough to break up the earth.
I need to plough through all of this paperwork before noon.
British spelling: plough
American spelling: plow
#6 OUGH sounds like ɑːf
(The same sound as ‘loft’.)
I can’t stop coughing. I need some water.
Please cover your mouth when you cough.
The pigs’ trough is empty again! I’ll go and fill it with water.
#7 OUGH sounds like /kʌp/
(The same sound as ‘cup‘.)
I have hiccoughs. What do I do?
It’s so cute when my baby son gets hiccoughs.
BUT! Normally the spelling of ‘hiccough’ is ‘hiccup’. Please use the second spelling when you write.
In many older English texts, you still might see the spelling ‘hiccough’.
Really good work, Arnel. I think this will be quite helpful. Thank you.
Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you so much Ernesto! I definitely hope it’s helpful! Yes, my next one should be coming out soon 🙂