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English Highway Podcast Pronunciation: Voiced and voiceless /th/ (#0284) Use words and sentences to practice the /th/ sound.

Announcer: You’re about to listen to an audio lesson from OpenEnglish.com.

Welcome to another audio lesson. I’m your head coach Andres Moreno, and today we have an exciting lesson ahead of us.

Today’s lesson is about the pronunciation of the “th” sound in English. Are you ready?

There are two types of “th” sounds. Listen to the following words:

“think” and “this”

Both words have a “th,” but the sounds are different. Place your hand in front of your mouth when you say these words. Repeat after me:

“think”

“this”

When you say “think,” air comes out of your mouth. When you say “this,” there is no air coming out of your mouth. That’s the difference.

So let’s practice some words with the “th” sound. First we’re going to focus on the airless “th.” Repeat after me:

“the”

You would never say “tha.” So repeat after me again:

“the”

Here’s another example:

“this”

No air comes out. To prove it, place your hand in front of your mouth and feel if any air comes out. Repeat after me:

“this”

No air. Here’s another example. Repeat after me:

“they”

And another one:

“that”

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And the last one:

“there”

Let’s say them all together. Repeat after me:

“the”

“this”

“they”

“that”

“there”

Way to go. That’s the airless “th” sound. Now, let’s practice some sentences with some of these words. Repeat after me:

“The book was very long.”

“the”

And again:

“The book was very long.”

You got it. Here’s another one. Repeat after me:

“This is my favorite song.”

And again:

“This is my favorite song.”

“this”

Good job. Here’s another one. Repeat after me:

“I don't know where they went.”

“they”

“I don’t know where they went.”

Good job. Here’s another example. Repeat after me:

“Would you like that present?”

“that”

Good job. Repeat after me:

“Would you like that present?”


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Okay, last example with the airless “th” sound. Repeat after me:

“there”

“There are too many options.”

And again:

“There are too many options.”

Great job. Now let’s practice words with a “th” sound that does involve air. So place your hand in front of your mouth and repeat after me:

“think”

Come on, feel that air coming out:

“think”

More air:

“think”

That’s it. Here’s another one:

“Thursday”

And again:

“Thursday”

Feel the air:

“Thursday”

Good job. Here’s another example:

“Thank you”

And again:

“Thank you”

And another one:

“thin”

And again:

“thin”

Good job. Last one, repeat after me:

“thought”


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“thought”

Good job. Now let’s practice some sentences. Repeat after me:

“I think she’s a nice person.”

And again:

“I think she’s a nice person.”

Way to go. Here’s another example. Repeat after me and give it your best:

“The test is on Thursday.”

“Thursday”

“The test is on Thursday.”

Good job. Here’s another example. Repeat after me:

“Thanks for your call.”

And again:

“Thanks for your call.”

Good job. Let’s keep going. Here’s another one. Repeat after me:

“thin”

“He’s very thin.”

Last time, come on. Let’s feel that air coming out:

“thin”

“He’s very thin.”

Good. Last one, repeat after me:

“I thought her comments were excellent.”

And again:

“I thought her comments were excellent.”

Way to go. As a final tip, the “th” can also come at the end of a word. Repeat after me:

“truth”


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When this happens, air always comes out. Place your hand in front of your mouth and feel the air coming out:

“truth”

More air, come on:

“truth”

Here’s another example:

“Ruth”

That’s it. And again:

“Ruth”

Another one:

“booth”

Again:

“booth”

Two more, repeat after me:

“health”

“health”

Good. Last one:

“math”

And again:

“math”

Great job. That was excellent. We worked on some tough sounds. My recommendation as always is for you to listen to this audio lesson again and again until you feel confident with the pronunciation of the “th” sound because remember, practice makes perfect!

For additional practice, turn on your computer and go to OpenEnglish.com. At OpenEnglish you’ll find hundreds of interactive lessons and videos to help you perfect your English. Accelerate your English today. See you soon.


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Additional practice: The voiced and unvoiced “th”

Words:thinkthethistheythatthereThursdayThank youthin thoughttruthRuthboothhealthmath

Sentences:“The book was very long.”“This is my favorite song.”“I do not know where they went.”“Would you like that present?”“There are too many options.”“I think she’s a nice person.”“The test is on Thursday.”“Thanks for your call.”“He’s very thin.”“I thought her comments were excellent.”


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