Mastering the American Accent » The American /ɔ/ Sound

The American /ɔ/ Sound

In American English the /ɔ/ sound as in caught and all is very similar to the /ɑ/ sound as in want or hot. In fact, these two sounds, /ɔ/ and /ɑ/, are so similar in many parts of the United States, that some language experts even claim that they are the same sound. So, while going through these lessons, if you are not able to clearly distinguish between these two vowels, don’t worry about it; neither can many native speakers of American English.

Warning: Common Mistake

If you studied English outside of the United States, you might have learned British pronunciation. The vowel sound that is most noticeably different between British and American English is the /ɔ/. In British English, this sound is much more rounded, almost like the /oʊ/. The words “coat” and “caught” sound similar in British English but as you have learned, they are very different in American English. Let’s practice pronouncing the differences between these two sounds /ɔ/ and /oʊ/.

Sentence Pairs for Practice

/ɔ//oʊ/
1. He’s a bald man.He’s a bold man.
2. Where is the ball?Where is the bowl?
3. That’s a big hall.That’s a big hole.
4. Don’t pause now.Don’t pose now.
5. I have a big lawn.I have a big loan.

Word Pairs in Sentences

  1. I bought a new boat.
  2. There is a ball in the bowl.
  3. Did you call about the coal?
  4. You ought to eat oats.
  5. I was awed that he owed so much.

Practice Sentences

  1. We all thought that Joe went to Rome.
  2. I bought some clothes at the mall.
  3. The audience applauded when the show was over.
  4. Paul is going home in August.
  5. We’re going for a walk even though it’s cold.
  6. The author wrote his autobiography.

Study Tip

Have you ever heard Americans speak your native language? Practice imitating their accent. This will help you get in touch with the American mouth movements and sounds. For example, when Americans speak Spanish, you will notice that they often prolong the Spanish o into an /ou/ sound. “Hola amigo” often sounds like: “oula amigou.” Similarly, “my friends Ricardo and Roberto” sounds like: “my friends Ricardou and Robertou.” A similar vowel change often occurs when Americans speak French. The vowel /ɛ/ ends up sounding like /eɪ/. “Je vais au marché” can sound like: “Je veiii au marcheiii.” So, when you speak English, prolong these vowels the same way, and you will be on the right track!

Favorite Books
4000 Essential English Words 6

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 6: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 5

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 5: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 4

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 4: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 3

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 3: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 2

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 2: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 1

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 1: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
Speak English Like an American

If you already speak some English and now would like to speak more like a native, “Speak English Like an American” will help you. One of the keys to speaking like a native is the ability to use and understand casual expressions, or idioms. American English is full of idioms. Speak English Like an American will help you understand and use idioms better. It contains over 300 of today's most common idioms.

Read more
Table of Contents