In
this series of lessons, you will learn useful spelling rules
in
English.
This lesson talks about different ways to pronounce -ough, which usually
comes at the end of English words. There are several different
ways, so we will learn words in groups.
For example, you must let the dough
rise before you put your bread in the oven.
In this word, the -ough
has an "oh" sound.
These words are pronounced the same way:
though
although
thorough
2. The second way to pronounce -ough is with an "ooh" sound, like in
the word "too."
A common word with this pronunciation is through. The
monster is coming through
the door.
The word throughout,
which means regularly during a period of time, has the same
pronunciation of -ough.
3. We can also pronounce -ough
like "off."
For example, John does not feel well. He has a bad cough
and his throat hurts.
Another word with this pronunciation is trough,
which is the container where a pig or another farm animal eats its food.
4. The fourth way to pronounce -ough is with an "aw" sound, like in the
word "law." This happens when a word ends in -ought.
Lydia thought
about the country to feel more relaxed.
Here are some more words pronounced this way:
bought
brought
fought
ought
5. We can also pronounce -ough
with an "ow" sound, like in the word "now."
Another word for a tree branch is bough.
Two other words with this pronunciation are plough
and drought.
Farmers use a plough
to make lines in the ground to plant seeds. Then they hope there is not
a drought,
or a long time with no rain!
6. The sixth common way to pronounce -ough is with and "uff" sound,
like in the word "stuff."
That security guard looks very strong and tough!
Here are some more words that are pronounced in the same way:
rough
enough
Review
So, let's review what we have learned about how to pronounce -ough in English:
The first way is like "oh" in the words: dough, though, although, and thorough.
The second way is like "ooh" in the words: through, and
throughout.
The third way is like "off" in the words: cough, and trough.
The fourth way is like "aw" in the words: ought, thought, bought, brought, and fought.
The fifth way is like "ow" in the words: bough, plough, and drought.
The sixth way is like "uff" in the words: tough, rough, and enough.