Say the word out. Can you hear a sound like the word 'ow' when you say it? That's the /ou/ sound! Sometimes, this sound is written using the letters ow.
There are three tricks you can use to help you remember when you need to use the letters ow to spell the /ou/ sound.
1) Use the ow spelling pattern if the /ou/ sound is at the end of a word, for example: crow, vow, or bow.
2) Use the letters ow if the /ou/ sound falls before the letter l, for example: owl, howl, or scowl.
3) Use the ow letter combination if the letter n comes after the /ou/ sound, for example: clown, frown, or down.
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owl |
I heard the hoot of an owl.
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brow |
He wiped his brow.
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now |
I was tackled in football and now I have a bruise.
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sow |
A female pig is called a sow.
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vow |
Some monks make a vow of silence.
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howl |
The wolf let out a great howl.
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growl |
A dog might growl to protect its pups.
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prowl |
That cat is on the prowl for a bird.
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scowl |
The scowl on his face told us he was in bad mood.
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brown |
The leaves are turning red and brown.
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clown |
They hired a clown to entertain at the birthday party.
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crown |
The king wears a gold crown.
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down |
A tear rolled down my cheek.
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drown |
He might drown.
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frown |
His face crumpled into a deep, dark frown.
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gown |
The bride wore a white silk gown.
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town |
The bus was going to town.
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crowd |
A crowd had gathered around the street performer.
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Learn more about these words in Unit 15. Spelling choices for /ou/ sound: ou, ow
Learn this spelling list using the 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' activity.
How to use:
Look and read the word.
Say the word. Click the speaker icon.
Cover the word.
Write the word.
Check your spelling.
Spelling games using the word list: ow words
Springtime Spelling
Spring into spelling!
Egg Hunt
Crack the eggs!
Word Search, small
The classic English word game.
Against the Clock
Spelling 'against the clock'.
Mayan Temple
Try the temple spelling puzzle.
Monkey Business
It's bananas!
Test yourself using the 'Listen and Spell' spelling test.
Print worksheets and activities: ow words
Handwriting worksheets: ow words
This word list was created by Spellzone. View more Spellzone course lists or curriculum word lists.
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