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OU pronunciation is often read as / aʊ / or / əʊ / which many people learn English feel bewildered. So, in order to know how to learn OU pronunciation in English properly and correct the native speakers, the following content Mầm non Cát Linh will answer in detail.
What is the uu sound in English?
OU or / əʊ / in English is one of the popular double vowels, often appearing in words like “go”, “Home”, “Slow”, and “No”.
This vowel is usually expressed by combining sound / ə / (middle sound) and / əʊ / (long O sound). When pronounced, the lips open slightly but do not place together as when pronouncing /Oʊ /.
For example:
Vocabulary |
Phonetic |
Pronounce |
Meaning of the word |
Go |
ɡəʊ |
|
Go |
Home |
həʊm |
|
home |
Slow |
SLəʊ |
|
Slow |
Full |
nəʊ |
|
Are not |
This double vowel can also be written in the form of “OE” in some words like “TOE” [təʊ] (toe), or “oa” as in “boat” [bəʊt] (boat).
This is one of the important vowels in English and needs to be practiced to pronounce clearly.
Instructions on how to learn OU pronunciation in the best English
In English, the OU double vowel will be pronounced into many cases as follows:
“Ou” pronunciation is /ʌ /
To pronounce “Ou” into sound / ʌ / in English, you can follow the following steps:
-
Step 1: Start by opening your mouth as wide as when you say “uh”.
-
Step 2: Place the tongue in the middle of the mouth without putting too low or too high.
-
Step 3: Your lips should be in a natural state, not too tight or forming a circle.
-
Step 4: Pronunciation / ʌ / by emitting sound from the middle of the throat, with the tongue slightly lower than its normal position.
-
Step 5: Sound / ʌ / a little but not too long.
Some other English words that have “Ou” are pronounced / ʌ / include:
Vocabulary |
Phonetic |
Pronounce |
Meaning of the word |
Country |
/ˈKʌntri/ |
|
nation |
Young |
/jʌŋ/ |
|
Young, young |
Trouble |
/ˈTrʌbəl/ |
|
Problems, trouble |
Touch |
/tʌtʃ/ |
|
touch, touch |
Double |
/ˈDʌbəl/ |
|
double, double |
“Ou” pronunciation is /ɔː /
When “Ou” in English is pronounced /ɔː /ɔː /, it usually forms a long vowel. Here’s how to pronounce step by step:
-
Step 1: Open your mouth wide and make the lip in a circular shape.
-
Step 2: Place the tongue at the bottom of the mouth.
-
Step 3: This pronunciation by emitting a long sound, while making the lips round.
Here are some other vocabulary in English “OU” and pronounced /ɔː /:
Vocabulary |
Phonetic |
Pronounce |
Meaning of the word |
Pour |
/pɔːr/ |
|
pour |
Tour |
/tʊər/ |
|
tour |
Source |
/sɔːrs/ |
|
Source, cause |
Four |
/fɔːr/ |
|
four |
Court |
/kɔːrt/ |
|
court |
“Ou” pronunciation is /ʊ /
When “Ou” in English is pronounced /ʊ /ʊ /, it forms a short vowel. Here are the detailed pronunciation steps:
-
Step 1: Open your mouth a bit, but not as wide as when pronouncing vowel /ɔː /.
-
Step 2: Place the tongue in the middle of the mouth, but a bit higher than when pronouncing vowel /ʌ /.
-
Step 3: The lips must be a bit round but not too tight.
-
Step 4: This pronunciation by emitting a short sound and a bit like “UH”, but the lips are a bit more round.
Here are some other vocabulary in English “OU” and pronounced /ʊ /:
Vocabulary |
Phonetic |
Pronounce |
Meaning of the word |
Would |
/wʊd/ |
|
will |
Book |
/bʊk/ |
|
book |
Cook |
/kʊk/ |
|
cook |
Good |
/ɡʊd/ |
|
Good |
Foot |
/fʊt/ |
|
foot |
“Ou” pronunciation is /uː /
When “Ou” in English is pronounced /uː /, it forms a long vowel. Here’s how to pronounce and some words:
-
Step 1: Open your mouth wide and make the lips round.
-
Step 2: Place the tongue at the bottom of the mouth.
-
Step 3: This pronunciation by emitting a long and high sound, with a round lip.
Here are some other vocabulary in English with “OU” and pronounced /uː /:
Vocabulary |
Phonetic |
Pronounce |
Meaning of the word |
Soup |
/suːp/ |
|
soup |
Group |
/ɡruːp/ |
|
group |
Troupe |
/truːp/ |
|
Group, team |
Route |
/ruːt/ |
|
road |
“Ou” pronunciation is /ə /
When “Ou” in English is pronounced /ə /, usually in the words written as “OU” but pronounced a short and unclear sound. Here are the corresponding pronunciation and mouth -shaped steps:
-
Step 1: Open your mouth a bit, but not as wide as when pronouncing other vowels.
-
Step 2: Place the tongue in the center of the mouth, do not move much.
-
Step 3: The lips open gently, not forming a circle as in other vowels.
-
Step 4: This pronunciation by emitting a short and unclear sound.
Here are some other vocabulary in English “OU” and pronounced /ə /:
Vocabulary |
Phonetic |
Pronounce |
Meaning of the word |
Journal |
/ˈDʒɜːrnəl/ |
|
diary |
Flour |
/ˈFlaʊər/ |
|
flour |
Labour |
/ˈLeɪbər/ |
|
labor |
Honour |
/ˈⱰnər/ |
|
honor |
Humour |
/ˈHjuːmər/ |
|
humorance |
“Ou” pronunciation is /aʊ /
When “Ou” in English is pronounced /Aʊ /, it forms a double sound, usually a combination of sound /a /and sound /ʊ /. Here’s the detailed pronunciation:
-
Step 1: Open your mouth wide and make the lip in a circular shape.
-
Step 2: The tongue should be placed below and in the middle of the mouth.
-
Step 3: The lips must form a circle.
-
Step 4: Start with sound / a / (like “a” in “cat”) and then switch to sound / ʊ / (like “oo” in “pool”).
Here are some other vocabulary in English “OU” and pronounced /Aʊ /:
Vocabulary |
Phonetic |
Pronounce |
Meaning of the word |
Out |
/aʊt/ |
|
go out |
Mouse |
/mAʊS/ |
|
mouse |
Cloud |
/klaʊd/ |
|
cloud |
About |
/əˈbaʊt/ |
|
about |
Count |
/kaʊnt/ |
|
count |
Some common mistakes when learning OU pronunciation
In the process of practicing English pronunciation for children in general, pronunciation / əʊ / in particular often learners will make some common errors such as:
-
Pronunciation into other vowels: learners often confuse vowel / əʊ / with other vowels such as / ɔː / (for example, pronunciation “go” into “gaw”) or / oʊ / (Example: pronunciation “slow” into “sloʊ”).
-
Confusion between /u: /and /ʊ /when pronounced: For example, with the word should, learners may pronounce OU as /u: /instead of the correct sound is /ʊ /, because this two sound pronunciation is quite similar.
-
Confusion / ə / and / ʌ / when pronounced: these are two short and light sounds, so when pronunciation will be a bit similar, it is easy to be confused. For example, from encourage, if you do not pay close attention to OU is /ə /instead of the correct sound is /ʌ /.
-
Do not maintain the length of vowel: A common error is not to keep the vowel / əʊ / long enough. If not extended enough time when pronounced, it will not be natural.
-
Incorrect lip pronunciation: An important part of vowel /əʊ /is the lip pronunciation that opened vapor, but did not put together as if the pronunciation /oʊ /. Some learners may not pronounce the lips properly, causing a different effect.
-
Do not adjust the pronunciation method by word and context: Some words with vowel / əʊ / can be pronounced different in different contexts. Not adjusting the pronunciation may be misleading or unnatural.
-
Do not practice enough: To pronounce vowel / əʊ / naturally, it takes time to practice and listen to the correct pronunciation sample.
Practice how to pronounce OU in English
Exercise 1: Determine the pronunciation of the part that is bricked in the words below
Question 1: Thought
Question 2: Rouble
Question 3: Workout
Question 4: Glamor
Question 5: Council
Question 6: Courtly
Question 7: Tournament
Question 8: Untouchable
Question 9: Mountain
Question 10: Thorough
Question 11: Infectious
Question 12: Infamous
Question 13: Voucher
Question 14: Miraculous
Question 15: Breakthrough
Exercise 2: Select words with pronunciation of other brick parts than the remaining words
Sentence |
A |
B |
C |
D |
1 |
Pronounce |
Cloud |
Glamor |
Mountain |
2 |
Tough |
South |
CUAL |
Cousin |
3 |
Pour |
Source |
Courtside |
Couch |
4 |
luminous |
Nutritious |
Nourish |
Suspicious |
5 |
workout |
Touch |
Sound |
Housework |
6 |
Outrage |
double |
Young |
trouble |
7 |
Accounting |
Lighthouse |
Encounter |
Couple |
8 |
Source |
ought |
sought |
Youth |
9 |
Cousin |
Various |
Curious |
Enormous |
10 |
Through |
Ground |
soup |
coup |
11 |
Brought |
Course |
Court |
wound |
12 |
Country |
Bounce |
Around |
Recount |
13 |
would |
should |
Rough |
Could |
14 |
Could |
acoustic |
Tour-Guide |
Through |
15 |
Cloudy |
odor |
plough |
lounge |
Answer
Lesson 1:
Question 1: THought /θɔːt / -> OU pronunciation is /ɔː /
Question 2: Rouble /ˈruːbl / -> OU pronunciation is /uː /
Question 3: Workout /ˈwɜːkaʊt / -> OU pronunciation is /aʊ /
Question 4: Glamor /ˈɡlæmər / -> pronunciation OU is /ə /
Question 5: COUNCIL /ˈKAʊNSL / -> OU pronunciation is /Aʊ /
Question 6: Courtly /ˈkɔːtli / -> OU pronunciation is /ɔː /
Question 7: Tournament /ˈtʊrnəmənt / -> OU pronunciation is /ʊ /
Question 8: untouchable /ʌnˈtʌtʃəbl / -> pronunciation OU is /ʌ /
Question 9: Mountain /ˈmaʊnTN / -> OU pronunciation is /aʊ /
Question 10: thorough /ˈθʌrə / -> pronunciation OU is /ə /
Question 11: Infectious /ɪnˈfekʃəs / -> OU pronunciation is /ə /
Question 12: infamous /ˈɪnfəməs / -> pronunciation OU is /ə /
Question 13: voucher /ˈvaʊtʃər / -> pronunciation OU is /aʊ /
Question 14: miraculous /mɪˈrækjələs / -> pronunciation OU is /ə /
Question 15: Breakthrough /ˈBreɪkθruː / -> OU pronunciation is /uː /
Lesson 2:
C |
B |
D |
C |
B |
A |
D |
D |
A |
B |
D |
A |
C |
A |
B |
The secret to learning English pronunciation is easy and effective
To improve the effectiveness when learning English pronunciation in general, OU in particular, here are some tips that everyone can refer to:
-
Understand the different “Ou” sounds: First, understand the different pronunciation of “OU” in English, including /əʊ /, /ʌ /, ʊ /, /uː /, and /aʊ /.
-
Listen and listen a lot: listen to words and sentences that contain “OU” from native speakers or in English documents. This helps you get used to the pronunciation and context used.
-
Divide and practice each sound: Focus on practicing each type of “OU” sound separately. Start with each type of sound, and then combine them together.
-
Using appropriate resources: Find English learning materials containing “OU” pronunciation exercises and practices. Mobile applications, textbooks, and English learning videos can help.
-
Record and listen to themselves: Record the words and sentences that contain “OU”, then listen and compare with the native model to identify and fix errors.
-
Practice with others: Find a classmate or a native friend to practice “OU” pronunciation. Sometimes learning with others helps you get feedback and suggestions from others.
-
Regular practice: Pronunciation is a skill that needs regular practice to improve. Taking time every day to practice “OU” pronunciation will help you progress faster.
-
Confidence and patience: Do not be afraid of making mistakes and always confident when practicing pronunciation. Patience is the key to making progress in learning English pronunciation.
In addition, with children from 3 to 11 years old, the practice of pronunciation from the beginning will make your English learning in the future easier. In order to support parents to teach their children to learn English pronunciation from an early age, Mầm non Cát Linh has launched the Mầm non Cát Linh Speak (M-Speak) course right in the Mầm non Cát Linh super application. Mầm non Cát Linh Speak application of exclusive AI M-Speak technology for children, integrated in reading games, sentences, conversations and practicing telling stories, thereby the system easily grades and comments on details for children. The course helps children practice pronunciation and communicate excitedly through a diverse and interesting game system. At the same time, Mầm non Cát Linh Speak also applies modern pronunciation methods, including:
Thereby helping to improve the effectiveness of learning English, especially the pronunciation in the most standard way from the beginning. Learn more about Mầm non Cát Linh Speak and super application Mầm non Cát Linh in the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY9FL1F8IA8 |
Conclude
Above is the information instructions on how to pronounce OU in English so that the most standard. Knowing the rules when learning pronunciation from the beginning will help learners easily learn listening and speaking skills better.
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