as in cloud | ![]() |
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There are two ways of spelling the sound /ou/ and a few tips to help you. |
Words use the letters ou or ow to make /ou/
The vast majority of words that end with the /ou/ sound will end with the letters ow.
Both options are used in the middle of a word but ou is more common.
Before n and l it is usually ow.
Before nd, use ou.
Look at these examples. How many do you know? How many do you need to learn?
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ou as in cloud | ow as in cow | ||
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owl bow* brow how now prow row sow vow fowl* howl growl prowl scowl brown clown crown down drown frown gown town crowd |
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Note: Words marked * are homophones. Please see page 8. |
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in these ou and ow words.
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