Learning English Vocabulary Words with 'ough'
Sep 1, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of English words with 'ough.' Discover the quirks of pronunciation, like 'cough' and 'thought,' and learn why there's no one-size-fits-all rule. A vocabulary quiz adds a fun twist while highlighting your progress. Plus, get tips on using recording tools to boost your pronunciation skills. It's a journey filled with unique words and engaging insights!
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George's Three-Month Cough Story
- George had a cough for roughly three months last winter and by February he thought he ought to see a doctor.
- He received a thorough check, a check (cheque) and medicine and improved by April.
O-U Can Produce an 'Or' Sound
- Words with the O-U letter pattern can share pronunciations like the 'or' sound in thought and ought.
- Examples include thought, ought, fought, bought and brought illustrating consistent pronunciation families.
No Single Pronunciation Rule
- The O-U pattern has multiple different pronunciations, as shown by cough and roughly sounding like 'off'.
- English offers no single rule, so pronunciation must often be learned word-by-word.