Although the 'ough' sound is tough, you can thoroughly learn it.

Difficult English Pronunciation

Is this the most difficult sound to pronounce in the English language?

If you really want to practise pronunciation, it’s probably best to have lessons with a tutor. Here’s my exclusive discount for the language learning platform, Preply if you want to find a teacher…

But, don’t worry if you don’t want to take one-on-one lessons, you can still improve a lot with reading, listening & watching activities.

The problem with ‘ough’, is that is can be pronounced in loads of different ways.

1. /ʌf/

This sound is similar to 'uff'. It occurs in words like:

• Tough: /tʌf/ - 'The material is very tough.'

• Rough: /rʌf/ - 'The surface is rough.'

Example Sentence:

• 'The journey was tough, with rough terrain.'

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2. /oʊ/

This sound is like the 'o' in 'go'. It appears in words like:

• Though: /ðoʊ/ - 'He came to the party, though he was tired.'

• Although: /ɔːlˈðoʊ/ - 'Although it was raining, we went out.'

• Thorough: /ˈθɜːroʊ/ (American English) - 'She gave the report a thorough review.'

Example Sentence:

• 'Although it was rough, we made it through.'

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3. /uː/

This sound is similar to 'oo' in 'too'. It is found in:

• Through: /θruː/ - 'We drove through the tunnel.'

Example Sentence:

• 'We went through many challenges.'

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4. /ɔː/

This sound is like the 'aw' in 'saw'. It occurs in:

• Thought: /θɔːt/ - 'I thought about the idea.'

• Bought: /bɔːt/ - 'She bought a new dress.'

• Brought: /brɔːt/ - 'He brought his friend.'

Example Sentence:

• 'She thought he had bought a gift, but he had brought nothing.'

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5. /aʊ/

This sound is like 'ow' in 'cow'. It is present in:

• Bough: /baʊ/ - 'The bough of the tree was heavy with fruit.'

Example Sentence:

• 'The bough broke under the weight.'

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6. /ɒf/

This sound is like 'off'. It appears in:

• Cough: /kɒf/ - 'He has a bad cough.'

Example Sentence:

• 'She started to cough after catching a cold.'

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7. /ə/ (schwa)

In some words, 'ough' is pronounced as a schwa, especially in British English:

• Thorough: /ˈθʌrə/ (British English) - 'She did a thorough job.'

Example Sentence:

• 'Her thorough research impressed everyone.'

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8. Silent 'gh'

In some cases, 'gh' in 'ough' is silent:

• Dough: /doʊ/ - 'The dough needs to rise.'

• Plough: /plaʊ/ (British English spelling of 'plow') - 'The farmer used a plough.'

Example Sentence:

• 'The baker kneaded the dough while the farmer ploughed the field.'

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Practice Exercise

Try pronouncing these 'ough' words in sentences:

1. The road was ___ (tough) but we made it through.

2. She ___ (thought) he would be home by now.

3. He ___ (bought) a new book last week.

4. The ___ (bough) of the tree was low.

5. The ___ (dough) needs more flour.

Answers:

1. tough (/tʌf/)

2. thought (/θɔːt/)

3. bought (/bɔːt/)

4. bough (/baʊ/)

5. dough (/doʊ/)

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