ow /aʊ/

Core Rule

ow = /aʊ/ represents a diphthong that starts with an open /a/ sound and glides toward a rounded /ʊ/. It often appears in stressed syllables or word-final positions, signaling a dynamic vowel movement rather than a fixed sound.

Articulation Guide

Begin with the jaw open and tongue low. As you pronounce the sound, smoothly move the tongue slightly back while rounding the lips. Airflow should be continuous, with no pause between the two vowel elements.

Word Analysis

brown: The ow carries stress and clearly forms /aʊ/ after the consonant cluster br. knowledge: The ow occurs in an unstressed syllable; the glide is shorter but still present. tower: The ow is stressed and followed by a weak /ər/, requiring a clear /aʊ/ before relaxing.

Pitfalls

Do not confuse this ow with /oʊ/ as in snow. Avoid reducing it to a single vowel; the glide from open to rounded is essential.