long o

Rule Core

The oa long o pattern appears mainly in the middle of words and represents the long vowel /oʊ/. The letters o + a work together to produce one sustained sound, as in overcoat and throat.

Pronunciation Guide

For /oʊ/, the tongue moves slightly back and up. Lips start relaxed and gradually round, with smooth, continuous airflow.

Word Analysis

• overcoat: oa clearly signals /oʊ/, not a short vowel
• throat: oa carries the vowel sound between consonants

Pitfalls

Do not confuse oa with ow or o_e. They may sound similar but follow different spelling rules.