For Students
American English Pronunciation
Lesson 29
Pronounce the sound in the words think, thought, method, month
In this lesson you will watch a video, and learn the following: how to spell this sound, the sound type, proper mouth position. You will practice pronouncing this sound and take a test.
Watch the video
Watch the following video and learn how to pronounce this sound.
How to spell this sound
This sound can be spelled in any of the following ways.
th thirsty, think, thumb, thought, thatch, three, thousand, thick, thin, healthy, author, method, worthless, arithmetic, earth, bath, month, mouth, tooth
 

Note: the red letters all have the same sound

Sound type
This is an UNVOICED sound which means Your Vocal Cords DO NOT vibrate when making the sound.
You CANNOT LISTEN to your Vocal Cords vibrating if you cover your ears with your hands.

Try covering your ears with your hands as Akiko is doing in the picture.

Now make the sound of this lesson. You cannot listen to your vocal cords vibrating.
VERY GOOD
You CANNOT FEEL your Vocal Cords vibrating if you place your hands on your neck.

Try placing your hands on your neck as Akiko is doing in the picture.

Now make the sound of this lesson. You cannot feel your vocal cords vibrating.
VERY GOOD
The following diagram shows the most important parts of your head and mouth used for pronouncing the sounds of English. It also shows the location of your Vocal Cords.
Mouth, lips, and tongue position
The following descriptions explain the proper mouth, lips, and tongue position when you make this sound.
Mouth

Your mouth releases air continuously.
Lips

Your lips should be slightly separated.
Tongue

The front part of your tongue should be between your upper teeth and your lower teeth.
Pronunciation practice video
Watch the following video and practice pronouncing this sound.
Pronunciation practice words
Look at your mouth in a mirror and practice pronouncing the following words. Make sure your mouth, lips, and tongue are in their proper positions.
think thumb thought thousand
thick thin author method
arithmetic month mouth tooth
 

Note: the red letters all have the same sound (watch the video above)

Pronunciation tongue twisters test
Try saying the following tongue twisters as quickly as possible.
  • Six thick thistle sticks. Six thick thistles stick.

  • Three free throws.

  • I thought a thought. But the thought I thought wasn't the thought I thought I thought.

  • They both, though, have thirty-three thick thimbles to thaw.

  • The Leith police dismisseth us.

  • The seething seas ceaseth and twiceth the seething seas sufficeth us.

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