ou diphth
Rule Core
The ou diphthong most commonly represents /aʊ/ in English. It begins with an open /a/ and glides smoothly toward /ʊ/. The sound is continuous and never split, frequently appearing in unstressed or medial positions, as in about.
Articulation Guide
Start with a low tongue and wide mouth, then glide upward as the lips narrow slightly. Airflow remains steady and voiced throughout.
Word Analysis
about /əˈbaʊt/ shows a clear /aʊ/. In account and accountant, the prefix a- reduces to /ə/, while ou consistently keeps the /aʊ/ value.
Pitfalls
Do not confuse ou /aʊ/ with o-e or oa /oʊ/ spellings.
Phonics Breakdown
Open to /a/, glide smoothly to /ʊ/ without breaking
Sound Reference
- Practice the glide, not two separate vowels
- Check stress to confirm /aʊ/ realization
Common Mistakes
Reading ou as /oʊ/
Overstressing the prefix a-
Example Words
All Words (101)
about account accountant accounting amount announce announcement arouse background boundary bout council counselor count countdown counter counteract counteraction counterfeit counterpart county crouch discount doubt doubtful doubtless downwards encounter flour found founder founding ground hound household housewife housework layout loud loudly loudspeaker lounge mould mount mountainous mountainside mounting mouse mouth mouthful mouthpiece noun ouch ounce our ours out outbreak outcome outdated outdoor outdoors outer outfit outlet outline outlook output outrage outset outside outsider outskirts outstanding outward outwards playground pound profound pronoun pronounce round roundabout rouse route schoolhouse scout sound southwest spouse sprout surrounding surroundings thousand throughout trousers turnout undoubtedly warehouse without workout