The Complete List of
English Spelling Rules

Lesson 7: Pronunciations of -ough

In this series of lessons, you will learn useful spelling rules in English.

This lesson talks about different ways to pronounce -ough, which usually comes at the end of English words. There are several different ways, so we will learn words in groups.


Download a free worksheet + answer key.

The different pronunciation of -ough in English can seem confusing at first, but you will remember words more easily if you learn them in groups.

1. The first pronunciation of -ough is with an "oh" sound, like in the word "go."

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

For example, you must let the dough rise before you put your bread in the oven.

In this word, the -ough has an "oh" sound.

These words are pronounced the same way:

• though
• although
• thorough

2. The second way to pronounce -ough is with an "ooh" sound, like in the word "too."


A common word with this pronunciation is through. The monster is coming through the door.

The word throughout, which means regularly during a period of time, has the same pronunciation of -ough.

3. We can also pronounce -ough like "off."


For example, John does not feel well. He has a bad cough and his throat hurts. 

Another word with this pronunciation is trough, which is the container where a pig or another farm animal eats its food.

4. The fourth way to pronounce -ough is with an "aw" sound, like in the word "law." This happens when a word ends in -ought.


Lydia thought about the country to feel more relaxed.

Here are some more words pronounced this way:

• bought
• brought
  
• fought
• ought

5. We can also pronounce -ough with an "ow" sound, like in the word "now."


Another word for a tree branch is bough.

Two other words with this pronunciation are plough and drought. Farmers use a plough to make lines in the ground to plant seeds. Then they hope there is not a drought, or a long time with no rain!

6. The sixth common way to pronounce -ough is with and "uff" sound, like in the word "stuff."


That security guard looks very strong and tough!

Here are some more words that are pronounced in the same way:

• rough
• enough
  
  

Review

So, let's review what we have learned about how to pronounce -ough in English:

1. The first way is like "oh" in the words: dough, though, although, and thorough.
   
   
2. The second way is like "ooh" in the words: through, and throughout.
   
   
3. The third way is like "off" in the words: cough, and trough.
   
   
4. The fourth way is like "aw" in the words: ought, thought, bought, brought, and fought.
   
   
5. The fifth way is like "ow" in the words: bough, plough, and drought.
   
   
6. The sixth way is like "uff" in the words: tough, rough, and enough.
   
   

Download a free worksheet

Please share this page with others: