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The 6 Pronunciations of -OUGH Words in English

George Bernard Shaw famously quipped about English spelling. The letter cluster -ough can be pronounced in 6 distinct ways. Master every single one with native video proof.

/oʊ/ (as in 'go')

-gh is completely silent

though
although
dough

/uː/ (as in 'too')

Long 'OO' vowel, -gh silent

through

/ɔː/ (as in 'saw')

Broad open 'AW' sound followed by /t/

thought
bought
brought
ought

/ʌf/ (as in 'stuff')

Short 'U' followed by unvoiced /f/ fricative

tough
rough
enough

/ɒf/ (as in 'off')

Short 'O' followed by /f/ consonant

cough
trough

/ə/ (schwa, 'sofa')

Reduced neutral unstressed vowel

thorough
borough

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