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How to pronounce "OUGH" in English: 7 Pronunciations Explained

As a non-native English speaker, you've likely encountered the dreaded "OUGH" combination and you’re never 100% sure if your pronunciation is correct. With up to seven different possible pronunciations, this spelling pattern is notoriously tricky. But fear not - in this comprehensive guide, I'll break down each "OUGH" sound and give you an easy-to-follow guide to how to pronounce it.


You can also watch my explanation in this video and you can download a handy guide here. 



The different pronunciations of "OUGH"


"OUGH" can be pronounced in a seven different ways, making it one of the most irregular spelling patterns in the English language, especially as the G is never pronounced in the way you think it should be. Let's dive into each of these pronunciations, complete with examples to help you. I suggest practising and memorising each of the words ending in -ough, as you won’t be able to guess just from the spelling. 


First of all , you have to know that the -GH at the end of -OUGH can be pronounced as an F sound at the end of some words, or it is not pronounced at all.  

Important! The G is never pronounced as a hard G, so don’t be confused by this! 

 
 

1. "OUGH" as "off"

In words like "cough" and “trough," the "OUGH" combination is pronounced as “off”.  In case you don’t know what a trough is, it’s the feeding bowl that animals eat or drink out of. 



Some pigs eating ouf of their trough
Some pigs eating ouf of their trough

2. “OUGH” as “uff”

In some words, such as rough, tough, enough, the -OUGH is pronounced like “uff”


3. ”OUGH" as "oo"

The "OUGH" combination can also be pronounced as "oo," for example, “through”. The pronunciation of “thought” is exactly the same as the pronunciation of the past tense of “throw”, “threw”. 


4. "OUGH" as "or"

Sometimes "OUGH" is pronounced as an "or" sound (but without the “r*), especially in irregular past tense forms, such as in "thought," “bought,” “brought”, “sought”, “fought”,  Don’t try to pronounced the sound as “ow” or “ou” and definitely don’t pronounce the G. 


5. "OUGH" as "ow"

Sometimes "OUGH" is pronounced as "ow," as in "drought" and "plough." (A plough is another farming word, like trough, but pronounced quite differently.)


Here's a snowplough
Here's a snowplough

6. "OUGH" as "oh"

Finally, the "OUGH" combination can also be pronounced as "oh," as heard in the words “dough”, “although” and “though."


Dough
Dough

7. “OUGH” as /ə/ (which is the sound of “a” in alone) 

In the words “thorough” and “borough”, the OUGH is pronounced as a schwa, which is the name for this sound /ə/. It’s actually the most common sound in English as many unstressed vowels are pronounced this way. You can make it by totally relaxing your jaw and then making a kind of “a” sound. 

 

 

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Mastering the "OUGH" Puzzle

With so many possible pronunciations, it's no wonder that "OUGH" words can be a source of frustration for English language learners. However, by following this guide and employing a few strategic learning techniques, you can conquer this tricky spelling pattern.


Memorize Common "OUGH" Words

The best approach is to memorise the most common "OUGH" words, along with their correct pronunciations. This will help you avoid the guesswork and ensure that you're using the right sounds in your speech.


These are the most common OUGH words:


  • Tough (uff)

  • Enough (uff)

  • Cough (off)

  • Through (oo)

  • Thought (or)

  • Drought (ow)

  • Although (oh)


By focusing on these high-frequency words, you'll be able to tackle a significant portion of "OUGH" encounters with confidence.


You could also try and remember a phrase such as “through tough thorough thought”, which shows several different pronounciations of OUGH. 


You can also go to the website Youglish.com where you can type in any English word and hear it pronounced in thousands of different videos.


Practice, Practice, Practice


As with any language skill, the key to mastering "OUGH" pronunciations is consistent practice. I recommend actively seeking out opportunities to use these words in your speech, whether it's in conversations, presentations, or reading aloud to yourself.


You can download our free guide to pronouncing OUGH here.. By regularly engaging with these materials and putting your knowledge into practice, you'll gradually become more comfortable and confident with this challenging spelling pattern.


Conquer the "OUGH" Challenge


The "OUGH" combination may be one of the most perplexing aspects of English pronunciation, but with the right strategies and a bit of dedication, you can overcome this linguistic hurdle. By familiarizing yourself with the seven common "OUGH" sounds, committing key words to memory, and consistently practicing, you'll be well on your way to mastering this tricky spelling pattern.


Remember, the key is to stop guessing and start learning the correct pronunciations. With the resources and techniques outlined in this guide, you'll be equipped to tackle "OUGH" words with confidence, impressing native speakers and solidifying your English language proficiency.


So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of "OUGH" and let your pronunciation skills soar to new heights. Happy learning!


 
 
 

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