• samus12345@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    5 months ago

    How many ways can “ough” be pronounced in English?

    through - oo

    tough - uff

    though - oh

    thought - ah

    cough - off

    bough - ow

    Any others?

    • Zagorath@aussie.zoneEnglish
      0·
      5 months ago

      thought - ah

      ?

      thought - or; if you pronounce it the UK/Aus/NZ way

      thought - o; if you pronounce it with a general American accent

      As for others:

      • thorough - uh (schwa)
      • hiccough - up
      • samus12345@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        5 months ago

        I’m referring to American English specifically. “o” would make me think it’s pronounced “thoat”, but it’s the sound I meant.

        “thorough” rhymes with “oh” in Standard American English.

        “Hiccough” is a good one. I always hated that spelling and prefer “hiccup” for that reason.

        • zarkanian@sh.itjust.works
          0·
          5 months ago

          “Hiccough” is a good one. I always hated that spelling and prefer “hiccup” for that reason.

          TIL those are both pronounced the same way. (Gaol/jail is worse, though.)