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IPAaw
Vowel
AW Sound / Caught Vowel
The mid-low back rounded vowel sound heard in words like "caught", "law", "talk", and "all". Often called the CAUGHT vowel. Note: Many American English speakers merge this sound with the Short O /ɑ/ (the Cot-Caught Merger).
Voicing
VoicedPlace of Articulation
Back (Mid-Open)Manner of Articulation
VowelMouth Position
Jaw is mid-low, more open than for Long O /oʊ/. Tongue is low-mid and pulled back. Lips are rounded, but can be less tense than for /oʊ/.
How to Make This Sound
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Example Words
caughtMain Example
kɔtlaw
lɔtalk
tɔkall
ɔlsaw
sɔthought
θɔtbought
bɔtdog
dɔgoff
ɔfwater
ˈwɔtərPronunciation Practice
11 words
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3-5 essential words
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All 11 words
Minimal Pairs
Listen and compare similar sounds
aw
caught
kɔtCompare with
C
cot
kɑtaw
talk
tɔkCompare with
T
tock
tɑkaw
law
lɔCompare with
L
low
loʊaw
dawn
dɔnCompare with
D
Don
dɑnTongue Twister
Practice: Vowel
“Paul called Saul to talk about the awful flaw.|The dog caught the ball and saw it fall into the wall.|Dawn brought her thoughts to draw on the lawn.”
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