Spelling:
- “oo” – took, good
- “u” – put, bush
- “o” – wolf, woman
- “oul” – would, should
Grammar Tip: The sound /ʊ/ is in several important modal verbs: could, should, would. These modal verbs are special auxiliary verbs that affect the meaning of the verb following the modal.
LISTEN
COMPARE
Compare /ʊ/ with /uw/:
| compare_oo-uw_1.mp3 |
/ʊ/…/uw/…/ʊ/…/uw/…/ʊ/…/uw/…
These are both high, back, rounded vowels. However, /ʊ/ is a lax vowel and /uw/ is a tense vowel. In order to pronounce /ʊ/, your tongue must be relaxed.
These are both high, back, rounded vowels. However, /ʊ/ is a lax vowel and /uw/ is a tense vowel. In order to pronounce /ʊ/, your tongue must be relaxed.
You can hear the difference between /ʊ/ and /uw/ in these words.
| compare_oo-uw_words.mp3 |
1. A. could, B. cooed
2. A. look, B. Luke
3. A. hood, B. who'd
4. A. soot, B. suit
5. A. full, B. fool
6. A. pulls, B. pools
2. A. look, B. Luke
3. A. hood, B. who'd
4. A. soot, B. suit
5. A. full, B. fool
6. A. pulls, B. pools
Now compare /ʊ/ with /ʌ/:
| compare_oo-uh_1.mp3 |
/ʊ/…/ʌ/…/ʊ/…/ʌ/…/ʊ/…/ʌ/…
These vowels often have the same spelling in English, and they are both lax vowels. However, /ʊ/ is a high, back, rounded vowel and /ʌ/ is a mid, central, unrounded vowel. When you pronounce /ʊ/, your lips must be rounded.
These vowels often have the same spelling in English, and they are both lax vowels. However, /ʊ/ is a high, back, rounded vowel and /ʌ/ is a mid, central, unrounded vowel. When you pronounce /ʊ/, your lips must be rounded.
You can hear the difference between /ʊ/ and /ʌ/ in these words.
| compare_oo-uh_words.mp3 |
1. A. look, B. luck
2. A. stood, B. stud
3. A. put, B. putt
4. A. roof, B. rough
5. A. shook, B. shuck
6. A. hoofed, B. huffed
2. A. stood, B. stud
3. A. put, B. putt
4. A. roof, B. rough
5. A. shook, B. shuck
6. A. hoofed, B. huffed
PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
| words_with_-oo-.mp3 |
|
1. good
2. book 3. foot 4. could 5. push 6. looks 7. dull 8. would 9. cure 10. woman |
11.
sugar
12. pudding 13. bully 14. cushion 15. cooking 16. bullet 17. schoolbook 18. football 19. childhood 20. understood |
Now, practice /ʊ/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
| sentences_with_-oo-.mp3 |
1. good – books
Have you read any good books lately?
2. put – sugar – pudding
Where did you put the sugar for the pudding?
3. pushed – bushes
The kids pushed the wagon behind the bushes.
4. should – look – textbook
You should look at the review section of the textbook.
5. sure – understood
I’m not sure I understood you correctly.
6. childhood – full - good
My childhood was full of good experiences.
Have you read any good books lately?
2. put – sugar – pudding
Where did you put the sugar for the pudding?
3. pushed – bushes
The kids pushed the wagon behind the bushes.
4. should – look – textbook
You should look at the review section of the textbook.
5. sure – understood
I’m not sure I understood you correctly.
6. childhood – full - good
My childhood was full of good experiences.
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:
