9 Ways to Pronounce 'OUGH' in British English! + TEST
OUGH has NINE pronunciations in British English. Tough, cough, though, through, thorough... plus a test.
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English spelling can be CRAZY, and OUGH is the proof: nine different pronunciations for four letters.
/ʌf/ Tough · /ɒf/ Cough · /aʊ/ Drought · /əʊ/ Though · /ɔː/ Ought · /uː/ Through · /ə/ Thorough · /ʌp/ Hiccough · /ɒk/ Lough
One rule that mostly works: OUGH + T is usually /ɔː/ (Ought, Thought).
Beyond that there aren't many reliable rules, so the honest answer is: learn them by heart. Repeat the words, then the longer sentences, until it sticks.
Good extra practice for diphthongs and long vowels too.
Practice sentences, some Crazy English and a TEST at the end.
I'm James, an English teacher from the UK. Modern RP accent, IPA throughout.
🔎 Also covers: ough pronunciation, tongue twisters, English test, British English pronunciation, how to pronounce ought, how to pronounce though, how to pronounce drought, how to pronounce through.
⏱ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:07 OUGH = ʌf
02:00 OUGH = ɒf
02:53 OUGH = aʊ
03:38 OUGH = əʊ
04:39 OUGH = ɔː
06:34 OUGH = uː
07:30 OUGH = ə
08:38 OUGH = ʌp
09:39 OUGH = ɒk
10:27 Practice Sentences
12:09 Crazy English
14:32 TEST
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