The TH Sound Rules: Voiced /ð/ vs. Voiceless /θ/ and When Each Appears

Published on April 6, 2026

The TH sound has two distinct pronunciations in English. Learning the difference is crucial for clear pronunciation.

The Voiceless /θ/ Sound

The voiceless TH sound /θ/ appears at the beginning of most words and in many other positions. Your vocal cords do not vibrate.

The voiced TH sound /ð/ is softer. Your vocal cords vibrate. It appears in function words and some other positions.

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