This is the sound of “law” and “thought”. Its tricky spellings and a major US accent feature—the “Cot-Caught Merger”—make it one of the most confusing vowels for learners.
Pronounce the word/phrase:
Overall Score
American Accent Alert: The “Cot-Caught” Merger
Before we even make the sound, you need to know this: for more than half of American English speakers, the /ɔː/ sound (as in “caught”) and the /ɑː/ sound (as in “cot”) have merged. They are pronounced exactly the same!
What does this mean for you?
If you’re learning American English, you may only need to learn the /ɑː/ sound. However, if you’re learning British English or want a more traditional American accent, learning to separate these two sounds is critical. This guide teaches the distinct /ɔː/ sound.
Building the /ɔː/ Sound: Lips, Jaw, and Length
The key to a distinct /ɔː/ is making it long and rounding your lips more than you think you need to. It’s a deep sound that comes from the back of your mouth.
Crucially, this is a long sound. Hold it for a moment: l-aw-w-w.
Decoding the Tricky Spellings of /ɔː/
This sound hides behind some of the most confusing spelling patterns in English. Recognizing them is half the battle.
- au → August, because
- aw → law, draw
- ough → thought, bought
- augh → caught, daughter
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Because this sound is so specific, learners often fall into two traps. Watch out for these.
Mistake #1: Not Rounding Your Lips
If your lips aren’t round, /ɔː/ will sound exactly like /ɑː/. You’ll say “cot” instead of “caught”.
The Fix: Look in a mirror. Your lips must form a clear circle.
Mistake #2: Making the Sound Too Short
If you don’t hold the sound, it can be confused with the British /ɒ/. You’ll say “cot” (UK) instead of “caught”.
The Fix: Exaggerate the length. Feel the sound in your throat.