How to pronounce thorough
Thorough is a word that many English learners find challenging to pronounce correctly. It is a common word with several variations in how it can be pronounced. In this article, we will discuss the correct pronunciation of thorough and provide some tips on how to improve your pronunciation skills.
The word thorough is used to describe something done with great care, attention, or detail. It is often used to emphasize completeness or exhaustive effort. However, the pronunciation of this word can be confusing due to the combination of consonants and the silent “o.”
In standard English UK pronunciation, thorough is pronounced as “THUH-roh.” The stressed syllable is the first syllable “thuh,” which is short and rhymes with words like “butter” and “mother.” The second syllable “-roh” is also short and quick.
When pronouncing thorough, make sure to pronounce the consonant sound “th” correctly by placing your tongue between your top and bottom teeth and exhaling air as you make the “th” sound. Remember to keep a short and quick rhythm when pronouncing thorough to maintain its correct pronunciation.
How to Pronounce Thorough
Thorough is a word that is often mispronounced due to its unique spelling. Here’s a guide on how to pronounce it correctly:
The word thorough consists of the following sounds:
– The th sound, which is made by putting your tongue between your teeth and blowing air out gently.
– The ow sound, which is made by rounding your lips and making a long “o” sound.
– The r sound, which is made by touching the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
– The uh sound, which is made by opening your mouth slightly, relaxing your lips, and producing a neutral vowel sound.
When pronouncing thorough, it is important to emphasize each individual sound. Start by making the th sound, then transition into the ow sound, followed by the r sound, and finally the uh sound.
Remember, it may take some practice to get the pronunciation right, but with time and effort, you’ll be able to say thorough with confidence!
Thorough Is a Tricky Word
When it comes to pronunciation, the word “thorough” can be quite tricky for English language learners. Due to its unique spelling and combination of letters, many people struggle to say it correctly.
Thorough is an adjective that means complete or meticulous. It originated from the Middle English word “thoruh”, which means through.
Correct Pronunciation
The correct pronunciation of “thorough” is “THUH-ruh”. The “th” sound is the voiceless dental fricative, similar to the sound in the word “think”. The “ou” sound is pronounced like the “uh” sound, similar to the one in “cup”. The “gh” letters are silent in this word.
Mispronunciations
Many English learners mistakenly pronounce “thorough” as “THO-roh”, with a long “o” sound instead of “uh”. Others may pronounce it as “thorough” with a short “o” sound rather than “uh”. These mispronunciations can make it difficult for native English speakers to understand what is being said.
To improve your pronunciation, practice saying “thorough” out loud and listen to native speakers say it. Pay attention to the individual sounds and try to mimic them. Practicing often will help you master the correct pronunciation of this tricky word.
Silent “O” Sound in Thorough
In the word “thorough,” the letter “o” is silent. This means that when pronouncing the word, the “o” is not sounded. Instead, only the remaining letters are pronounced.
The “th” at the beginning of the word is pronounced as a voiceless “th” sound, similar to the “thing” or “thought” sound. The “or” combination is pronounced as a schwa sound, which is a reduced vowel sound found in weak or unstressed syllables. The “ou” in the word is pronounced as the “uh” sound.
Putting it all together, “thorough” is pronounced as “THUR-uh” with the stress on the first syllable. The “th” is pronounced as a voiceless “th” sound, the “or” is pronounced as a schwa sound, and the “ough” is pronounced as the “uh” sound.
It is important to note that the pronunciation of “thorough” may vary slightly depending on regional accents or individual speech patterns. However, the silent “o” sound remains consistent in all variations of the word.
Voiced “TH” Sound in Thorough
The voiced “TH” sound in the word thorough is a unique sound in English. This sound is made by placing the tip of your tongue between your upper and lower teeth and slightly vibrating it.
To pronounce thorough correctly, ensure that your vocal cords are vibrating while making the “TH” sound. This is essential because the voiced “TH” sound requires the voice box to be activated.
Practice saying the word thorough repeatedly while focusing on making the voiced “TH” sound. Start by correctly pronouncing the “TH” sound at the beginning of the word, and then continue to the -orough part.
Remember to place your tongue between your teeth, use your vocal cords to make the sound, and maintain proper airflow while pronouncing thorough.
With practice and repetition, you will become more comfortable and confident in pronouncing the voiced “TH” sound in thorough accurately.
Long “O” Sound in Thorough
The word “thorough” is characterized by the long “O” sound which is represented by the symbol /ɔː/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. This sound is commonly found in certain words within the English language, and learning how to pronounce it correctly is important for clear communication.
Pronunciation Guide
To correctly pronounce the long “O” sound in “thorough,” follow these steps:
- Begin by opening your mouth slightly and positioning your tongue at the back of your mouth.
- Round your lips as if you are about to say “oo.”
- As you produce the sound, slightly draw the back of your tongue upwards towards the roof of your mouth.
- Hold the sound for a longer duration, and make sure it is pronounced in a smooth and prolonged manner.
It is important to note that in some English dialects, such as American English, the long “O” sound in “thorough” may be pronounced differently. In these dialects, the sound may be closer to the /oʊ/ sound, as in the word “phone.”
Example Words with the Long “O” Sound
Here are some other words in English where you may encounter the long “O” sound:
| Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Boat | /boʊt/ |
| Soap | /soʊp/ |
| Vote | /voʊt/ |
| Coat | /koʊt/ |
By practicing the pronunciation of words with the long “O” sound, including “thorough,” you will improve your English speaking skills and enhance your ability to be understood by others.
Ending Pronunciation in Thorough
The word “thorough” is pronounced with the typical -əɹ sound at the end, which is often referred to as a schwa sound. The ending of the word may be challenging for non-native English speakers, as it differs from the spelling.
When pronouncing “thorough,” the “ough” ending is not pronounced individually. Instead, it sounds like the letters “er” in “her.” This is similar to how the word “brother” is pronounced.
| Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Thorough | θʌrə |
| Brother | ˈbrʌðə |
As you can see from the table above, both “thorough” and “brother” share the same -əɹ sound at the end. It’s important to pay attention to the pronunciation and listen closely to native English speakers to develop a better understanding of this sound.
Tips for Pronunciation:
1. Practice listening to native speakers pronouncing words ending in -əɹ.
2. Focus on imitating the correct intonation and stress patterns.
3. Use online resources, such as pronunciation guides or videos, to help enhance your understanding of the sound.
Practice Pronouncing Thorough Correctly
Pronouncing the word “thorough” correctly can sometimes be a challenge, especially for non-native English speakers. Here are some tips to help you perfect your pronunciation:
- Break it down: Start by breaking the word into its syllables: “thor” and “ough”.
- Focus on the first syllable: Pay close attention to the “thor” part of the word. Make sure to pronounce the “th” sound correctly, as it is a distinct sound in English.
- Soft “o” sound: The “ough” ending of the word has a soft “o” sound, similar to the word “oh”.
- Practice: Repeat the word “thorough” out loud several times. Focus on pronouncing each syllable clearly and accurately.
Common Pronunciation Mistakes to Avoid:
- Avoid pronouncing it as “thur-oh”: This is a common mistake where the “thor” syllable is pronounced as “thur”. Make sure to pronounce the “th” sound correctly, and avoid substituting it with a “th” sound.
- Avoid pronouncing it as “thro”: Another common mistake is to skip the “ugh” part of the word and pronounce it as “thro”. Make sure to pronounce the full word, with the soft “o” sound at the end.
- Avoid stress on the wrong syllable: The stress in “thorough” falls on the first syllable, so make sure not to stress any other syllable.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep practicing the correct pronunciation of “thorough” and soon it will become natural. Listening to native English speakers and imitating their pronunciation can also be helpful. So keep practicing and soon you’ll be pronouncing “thorough” with ease!
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