long or
Core Rule
The long or sound refers to or pronounced as /ɔː/ (BrE) or /ɔr/ (AmE) in stressed syllables. It is a stable, full vowel sound with clear rounding.
Articulation Guide
Retract and slightly raise the tongue, round the lips, and let the airflow remain steady. Avoid gliding toward /oʊ/.
Word Analysis
In abnormal, or keeps its long quality despite prefixing; in aboard, or forms the stressed vowel core; in abort, the stressed or is a textbook example.
Pitfalls
Do not confuse or with /ɜː/ spellings (er/ir/ur) or with ore/oar which follow different spelling patterns.
Phonics Breakdown
Back tongue, rounded lips, long steady vowel
Sound Reference
- Practice minimal pairs with /ɜː/ sounds
- Hold the vowel longer in stressed syllables
Common Mistakes
Gliding or into /oʊ/
Confusing or with /ɜː/ spellings
Example Words
All Words (93)
abnormal aboard abort accord accordance according accordingly afford affordable airport before blackboard border boring chore chorus conformity corps corpse corridor deplore deportation doorbell doorway escort explorer exportation extraordinary foresight forestry forgery formal format former forward forwards gorgeous henceforth important incorporation indoors informal informant keyboard laboratory laborious lavatory lord meritorious minority moreover morning mortal normalize northwest northwestern norway obligatory orderly ordinary outdoors passport performance portfolio portion portuguese proportion record recorder reinforce reinforcement shortcoming shorthand sophomore sorbonne sort sportsman sportswoman storey stormy straightforward subordinate subordination thunderstorm torch torment transform unfortunate unfortunately unimportant unsporting winterbourne workforce