The guidance to pronounce O accurately like a native English speaker

Vowels in English can have different pronunciations depending on their position in a word. The vowel "O" specifically has around 8 different possible sounds in various contexts. Let’s read the detailed guidance below to pronounce O like a native English speaker that PREP compiled for you! 

I. Introduction to the letter O in English

The letter O is a vowel with multiple pronunciation variations in the English alphabet. The letter O has up to 8 different pronunciations in various cases when combined with other letters. For these reasons, you must pay attention to pronounce O correctly in any given context!

You can see some words with the vowel O below: 

II. A summary of how to pronounce O in English

Specifically, below are all 8 ways to pronounce O in each case, you should take note to remember:

1. Pronounce O as/ɑː/ or /ɒ/

The way to pronounce O in American English /a:/ is different from the way to pronounce O in British English /ɒ/. Specifically:

For example:

• hot (adj) → Pronunciation:  UK - /hɒt/ or US - /hɑːt/
• job (n) → Pronunciation: UK - /dʒɒb/ or US - /dʒɑːb/

2. Pronounce O as /u:/

How to pronounce /u:/: 

• Step 1: Bring the lips forward to form an O-shaped mouth, slightly tense the lips.
• Step 2: Raise the back of the tongue and lower the tip of the tongue.
• Step 3: Pronounce /u:/, slightly tense the lips.

For example:

• cool /kuːl/ (n) 
• fool /fu:l/ (n) 

3. Pronounce O as /ʊ/

How to pronounce /ʊ/: 

• Step 1: Bring the lips forward, and relax the muscles of the mouth.
• Step 2: Raise the back of the tongue and lower the tip of the tongue.
• Step 3: Maintain the position and pronounce /ʊ/.

For example:

• book /bʊk/ (n)
• took /tʊk/ (v)
• could /kʊd/ (modal verb)

4. Pronounce O as /ʌ/

How to pronounce /ʌ/:

• Step 1: Open the mouth naturally.
• Step 2: Lower the tongue.
• Step 3: Maintain the shape of the mouth and pronounce /ʌ/ clearly.

For example:

• month /mʌnt θ/ (n)
• funny /ˈfʌn.i/ (adj)

5. Pronounce O as /ə/

How to pronounce /ə/: 

• Step 1: Open the mouth naturally.
• Step 2: Place the tongue naturally, moderately high.
• Step 3: Maintain the position of the tongue and pronounce /ə/ clearly.

For example:

• method /ˈmeθəd/ (n)
• period /ˈpɪriəd/ (n)

6. Pronounce O as /ɔː/

How to pronounce /ɔː/: 

• Step 1: Lower the jaw, round the lips.
• Step 2: Raise the tongue, pull the tongue back.
• Step 3: Pronounce /ɔː/ with a slightly prolonged sound.

For example:

• core /kɔːr/ (n) 
• horse /hɔːrs/ (n) 
• more /mɔːr/ (adv) 

7. Pronounce O as /ɜ:/

How to pronounce /ɜ:/: 

• Step 1: Open your mouth naturally.
• Step 2: Place your tongue moderately high.
• Step 3: Extend the breath, pronounce /ɜ:/.

For example:

• homework /ˈhəʊmwɜːrk/ (n) 
• journey /ˈdʒɜːrni/ (n) 
• work /wɜːrk/ (v) 

8. Pronounce O as /əʊ/

How to pronounce /əʊ/: 

• Step 1: Open your mouth naturally.
• Step 2: Place your tongue at a medium height, slowly curl the tongue back and bring the lips together.
• Step 3: Pronounce /ʊ/, when reading /ə/ it should be longer than /ʊ/.

For example:

• load /ləʊd/ (n)
• road /rəʊd/ (n)
• home /həʊm/ (n)
• bone /bəʊn/ (n)

II. Exercises on “O” pronunciation with answers

To pronounce accurately and create reflexes, the most important thing is to practice regularly. Below are some exercises to practice pronounce O that you should keep and do on your own!

Choose the word with the underlined syllable pronounced differently from the others:

Exercise 1: 

1. A. course  B. court  C. pour  D. courage

2. A. noon  B. tool  C. blood  D. spoon

3. A. thought  B. tough  C. taught  D. bought

4. A. how  B. town  C. power  D. slow

5. A. mouse  B. could  C. would  D. put

Key: 

1. D

2. C

3. B

4. D

5. A

Exercise 2:

1. A. notebook B. hoping C. cock D. potato

2. A. shoot B. mood C. poor D. smooth

3. A. folk B. work C. pork D. corn

4. A. pool B. moon C. food D. foot

5. A. book B. floor C. hook D. cooker

Key: 

1. C

2. C

3. B

4. B

5. B

Exercise 3: 

1. A. cotton B. bottle C. cold D. common

2. A. copper B. copy C. dolphin D. colonel

3. A. ghost B. hostage C. lost D. frosty

4. A. blow B. show C. hole D. cow

5. A. some B. done C. once D. home

Key:

1. C

2. D

3. A

4. D

5. D

III. Improve pronunciation with Prep's VSR 

PREP's VSR is a place where you can have a "partner" to practice speaking and an "authentic AI judge" to effectively practice English speaking skills. With a vast collection of topics covering all 3 parts of the IELTS Speaking test, you will experience the feeling of taking the real test with the interaction of the AI judge.

Especially, in the practice mode with VSR, you will be pointed out pronunciation errors and grammar mistakes in your speech. At the same time, you will also receive feedback on the strengths of your test. From these mistakes and correct points, you can gain a lot of experience and improve more on the path of mastering English in general and achieving a high score on the IELTS Speaking test in particular.

Improving pronunciation accuracy should start from the smallest units. Hopefully, with the above sharing, you will grasp how to pronounce O correctly. Practice regularly to make speaking English a natural reflex!