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LISTEN |
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/ɔ/.../ɔ/.../ɔ/.../ɔ/...
bought...lost...call...quarter... |
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WHAT IS IT? |
Pronunciation:
The sound /ɔ/ is a low, back, tense vowel.
Note: In many American dialects, /ɔ/ and /ɑ/ are treated as the same sound.
Spelling:
The sound /ɔ/ is a low, back, tense vowel.
- Lower your tongue and pull it backwards.
- Make a circle with your lips.
- Tighten your tongue.
- Breathe out to pronounce the vowel.
Note: In many American dialects, /ɔ/ and /ɑ/ are treated as the same sound.
Spelling:
- "o" - gone, follow
- "augh" - caught, daughter
- "ough" - bought, thought
- "aw" - saw, lawyer
- "a" - always, false,
- "oa" - abroad, broad
- "au" - August, author
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COMPARE |
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/ɔ/.../ɑ/.../ɔ/.../ɑ/.../ɔ/.../ɑ/...
These are both low, tense vowels. However, /ɔ/ is a back, rounded vowel and /ɑ/ is a central, unrounded vowel. When you pronounce /ɔ/, your lips should form a circle. Note: Many American English speakers do not distinguish between these two vowels. |
You can hear the difference between /ɔ/ and /ɑ/ in these words.
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1. A. stalk, B. stock
2. A. caught, B. cot 3. A. dawn, B. don 4. A. caller, B. collar 5. A. score, B. scar 6. A. store, B. starry |
Practice recognizing words with /ɔ/ and /ɑ/ by taking the quiz below.
Now compare /ɔ/ and /ow/:
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/ɔ/.../ow/.../ɔ/.../ow/.../ɔ/.../ow/...
These are both back, tense, rounded vowels. However, /ɔ/ is a low vowel and /ow/ is a mid vowel. When you pronounce /ɔ/, your tongue should be low in your mouth. |
You can hear the difference between /ɔ/ and /ow/ in these words.
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1. A. saw, B. so
2. A. bought, B. boat 3. A. clause, B. close 4. A. ball, B. bowl 5. A. lawn, B. loan 6. A. more, B. mower |
Practice recognizing words with /ɔ/ and /ow/ by taking the quiz below.
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PRACTICE |
Listen and repeat these words:

words_with_-o-.mp3 | |
File Size: | 637 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
1. law
2. bought 3. lost 4. talk 5. broad 6. cause 7. fault 8. forest 9. dawn 10. long |
11. door
12. call 13. water 14. story 15. thoughtful 16. autumn 17. almost 18. always 19. morning 20. quarter |
Now practice /ɔ/ in sentences:
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1. talked - almost - dawn
We talked until almost dawn. 2. always - abroad - autumn I always go abroad in the autumn. 3. bought - orange - mall I bought an orange sweater at the mall. 4. called - walking - door He called me as he was walking out the door. 5. daughter - story - morning I told your daughter that story this morning. 6. score - already - lost Based on our score, I think we already lost the game. |
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below. (Note: Because of regional variation, some speakers may use /ɑ/ instead of /ɔ/ in some words.)
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USE IT! |
Practice the task below. Then, record yourself completing that task. Give your recording to a teacher or an English-speaking friend for feedback.
Prepare:
Imagine you are upset, and your friend wants to help. What should your friend do?
Prepare:
Imagine you are upset, and your friend wants to help. What should your friend do?
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- Talk to you face-to-face
- Call you on the phone
- Don't bother you until you feel better
- Give you a book by your favorite author
- Apologize if it's their fault
- Take you to the mall
- Spend a long time with you
- Play a board game with you
- Tell you an encouraging story
Record:
In your recording, describe the 2 most thoughtful things your friend could do for you. Explain why these things would be helpful.
©2018-2021, Christine Wingate

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