IPA: /oʊ/ — The Long "O" Sound (also /o/ in some accents)
The /oʊ/ sound (or /o/ in some accents) is a diphthong in most English varieties, meaning it consists of a combination of two vowel sounds in a single syllable. It’s the sound you hear in words like "go," "home," "snow," and "boat." It’s a long, tense, rounded vowel.
❓How to Know if It’s the /oʊ/ Sound:
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It’s a long vowel, often pronounced with a slight glide from /o/ to /ʊ/.
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Lips are rounded and the tongue is placed in the mid-back of the mouth.
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Often spelled with:
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o (go, home)
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oa (boat, road)
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ow (snow, low)
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oe (toe, foe)
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🔊Sample Words with /oʊ/:
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Go
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Home
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Boat
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Snow
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Toe
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Road
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Low
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Foe
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Grow
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Show
📝 Simple Sentences with /oʊ/:
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I go to school every day.
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We are at home now.
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The boat is on the water.
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The snow is falling softly.
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He broke his toe.
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The road is long and windy.
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Keep your head low.
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My foe is very strong.
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The plants need water to grow.
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I will show you the way.
🔁 Tongue Twisters with /oʊ/:
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A boat on the road went to the shore.
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Go to the low snow and show your foe.
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Foes in the road grow slow.
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A snowstorm on the boat slowed the road show.
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Joe knows how to show the way home.
📖 Short Story with /oʊ/ Sound:
The Snowy Road Home
One winter afternoon, Lucy and Jack went on a boat trip. They sailed across the lake, and the water was calm. Suddenly, the weather changed, and snow started to fall.
The boat took a slow turn towards the shore. “We need to get home quickly,” said Lucy. They steered the boat to a nearby dock, where the road led them back to the village.
By the time they reached home, the snow had covered everything. Jack smiled and said, “What a beautiful road we traveled, even though the weather was not friendly!”
They sat inside by the fire, watching the snow fall outside, feeling safe and warm.
