If you’ve ever found the English ‘th’ sound tricky, you’re not alone. For many English learners, pronouncing words like “think” or “this” can feel awkward or unfamiliar—especially since this sound doesn’t exist in many other languages.
But here’s the good news: with the right guidance and a little practice, you can master it. In English, the ‘th’ sound comes in two types: voiced (like in this, that, bother) and unvoiced (like in think, path, thick). Each has its own unique mouth position and sound pattern, and learning to tell the difference is a key step in improving your English pronunciation.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the differences between the two types, explain how to form each sound correctly, and provide plenty of examples and exercises to help you build muscle memory and confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or fine-tuning your accent, this article will give you the tools you need to speak clearly and be understood.
Let’s dive in and tackle the ‘th’ sound together—step by step!
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of the ‘th’ Sound
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of ‘th’ Sounds
- Examples of ‘th’ Sounds
- Usage Rules for ‘th’
- Common Mistakes in ‘th’ Pronunciation
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of the ‘th’ Sound
The ‘th’ sound is a dental fricative, meaning it’s produced by forcing air through a narrow channel made by the tongue against the teeth. It is one of the few sounds in English that doesn’t have a direct equivalent in many other languages, which often leads to pronunciation challenges for non-native speakers.
The ‘th’ sound exists in two forms: voiced and unvoiced. Both sounds involve the same tongue and teeth placement, but differ in whether the vocal cords vibrate during pronunciation.
Understanding the difference between these two forms is key to mastering the ‘th’ sound. Its function is to differentiate words and convey meaning accurately in English.
Structural Breakdown
To produce the ‘th’ sound correctly, focus on the following steps. First, place your tongue between your upper and lower teeth, allowing a small gap for air to flow.
Next, gently press your tongue against your teeth, creating a slight obstruction. Then, force air through the gap, creating a friction sound.
For the voiced ‘th’ sound, vibrate your vocal cords while expelling air. For the unvoiced ‘th’ sound, do not vibrate your vocal cords, only let the air pass through.
The sound is not produced by biting down hard on the tongue. The tongue should be relaxed and the contact with the teeth should be gentle.
The ‘th’ sound is classified as a fricative because of the friction created as air passes through the narrow channel. It’s also a dental sound because the tongue makes contact with the teeth. The specific configuration of the tongue and teeth, along with the control of airflow, are essential for accurate pronunciation.
Types of ‘th’ Sounds
Voiced ‘th’
The voiced ‘th’ sound (represented phonetically as /ð/) is produced with vibration of the vocal cords. You can feel this vibration by placing your fingers on your throat while making the sound.
Words like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” are common examples of words using the voiced ‘th’ sound. It is frequently used in function words, such as articles, pronouns, and conjunctions.
Unvoiced ‘th’
The unvoiced ‘th’ sound (represented phonetically as /θ/) is produced without vibration of the vocal cords. Again, placing your fingers on your throat while making the sound will confirm the absence of vibration.
Words like “think,” “thank,” “theory,” and “bath” are common examples of words using the unvoiced ‘th’ sound. It is also commonly found at the beginning of nouns and adjectives.
Examples of ‘th’ Sounds
Here are some examples of words containing the ‘th’ sound, categorized by whether they are voiced or unvoiced, and by their position in the word.
Voiced ‘th’ Examples
This table shows examples of words containing the voiced ‘th’ sound. Pay attention to the vibration of your vocal cords as you pronounce these words.
| Word | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| This | /ðɪs/ | This is my favorite book. |
| That | /ðæt/ | That car is very fast. |
| These | /ðiːz/ | These apples are delicious. |
| Those | /ðoʊz/ | Those flowers are beautiful. |
| The | /ðə/ or /ðiː/ | The cat is sleeping. |
| Their | /ðer/ | Their house is very big. |
| There | /ðer/ | There is a park nearby. |
| Then | /ðen/ | Then we went to the store. |
| Than | /ðæn/ | He is taller than me. |
| Though | /ðoʊ/ | Though it was raining, we went out. |
| Thus | /ðʌs/ | Thus, we conclude the meeting. |
| Therefore | /ˈðer.fɔːr/ | Therefore, we must take action. |
| Although | /ɔːlˈðoʊ/ | Although it was late, I called him. |
| Another | /əˈnʌð.ər/ | I would like another piece of cake. |
| Brother | /ˈbrʌð.ər/ | My brother is a doctor. |
| Father | /ˈfɑː.ðər/ | My father is a teacher. |
| Mother | /ˈmʌð.ər/ | My mother is a nurse. |
| Weather | /ˈweð.ər/ | The weather is beautiful today. |
| Together | /təˈɡeð.ər/ | We went to the movies together. |
| Bathing | /ˈbeɪ.ðɪŋ/ | She is bathing the baby. |
| Bother | /ˈbɑː.ðər/ | Don’t bother me while I’m working. |
| Further | /ˈfɝː.ðɚ/ | Let’s discuss this further. |
| Gather | /ˈɡæð.ər/ | We will gather for a meeting. |
| Neither | /ˈniː.ðər/ or /ˈnaɪ.ðər/ | Neither option is appealing. |
| Other | /ˈʌð.ər/ | The other day, I saw him. |
| Rather | /ˈræð.ər/ | I would rather stay home. |
| Smooth | /smuːð/ | The surface is very smooth. |
| Southern | /ˈsʌð.ərn/ | We are traveling to the southern states. |
| With | /wɪð/ | I am going with you. |
Unvoiced ‘th’ Examples
This table shows examples of words containing the unvoiced ‘th’ sound. Remember to avoid vibrating your vocal cords as you pronounce these words.
| Word | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Think | /θɪŋk/ | I think it will rain. |
| Thank | /θæŋk/ | Thank you for your help. |
| Theory | /ˈθɪəri/ | The theory is very complex. |
| Bath | /bæθ/ | I took a bath last night. |
| Through | /θruː/ | We walked through the forest. |
| Three | /θriː/ | I have three apples. |
| Thousand | /ˈθaʊzənd/ | There are a thousand stars. |
| Thing | /θɪŋ/ | What is that thing? |
| Thought | /θɔːt/ | I had a thought. |
| Month | /mʌnθ/ | January is the first month. |
| Cloth | /klɔθ/ | The cloth is very soft. |
| Tooth | /tuːθ/ | I brushed my tooth. |
| Path | /pæθ/ | The path is very narrow. |
| Worth | /wɜːθ/ | It’s worth a lot of money. |
| Health | /helθ/ | Health is very important. |
| Length | /leŋθ/ | The length of the room is 10 meters. |
| Width | /wɪdθ/ | The width of the table is 2 meters. |
| Strength | /streŋθ/ | He has a lot of strength. |
| Thick | /θɪk/ | The book is very thick. |
| Thin | /θɪn/ | The paper is very thin. |
| Author | /ˈɔː.θər/ | He is a famous author. |
| Anything | /ˈen.i.θɪŋ/ | Is there anything I can do? |
| Birthday | /ˈbɜːrθ.deɪ/ | Today is my birthday. |
| Death | /deθ/ | The death rate has declined. |
| Earth | /ɜːθ/ | The Earth is round. |
| North | /nɔːθ/ | The North Pole is very cold. |
| South | /saʊθ/ | The South is very warm. |
| Thursday | /ˈθɜːrz.deɪ/ | Thursday is my favorite day. |
| Throughout | /θruːˈaʊt/ | The music played throughout the night. |
Words Starting with ‘th’
Many English words start with ‘th’. This table highlights a variety of examples, showing both voiced and unvoiced pronunciations.
| Word | Type | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| The | Voiced | /ðə/ or /ðiː/ | The sun is shining brightly. |
| This | Voiced | /ðɪs/ | This is a very important lesson. |
| That | Voiced | /ðæt/ | That is an excellent idea. |
| These | Voiced | /ðiːz/ | These are the books I need. |
| Those | Voiced | /ðoʊz/ | Those are beautiful flowers. |
| Then | Voiced | /ðen/ | Then we went to the park. |
| There | Voiced | /ðer/ | There is a cat on the roof. |
| They | Voiced | /ðeɪ/ | They are going to the beach. |
| Their | Voiced | /ðer/ | Their car is very old. |
| Them | Voiced | /ðem/ | I gave the books to them. |
| Though | Voiced | /ðoʊ/ | Though it was cold, we went swimming. |
| Thus | Voiced | /ðʌs/ | Thus, the experiment was successful. |
| Than | Voiced | /ðæn/ | He is taller than his brother. |
| Think | Unvoiced | /θɪŋk/ | I think it’s a good idea. |
| Thank | Unvoiced | /θæŋk/ | Thank you for your help. |
| Thing | Unvoiced | /θɪŋ/ | What is that thing over there? |
| Thought | Unvoiced | /θɔːt/ | I had a thought about that. |
| Through | Unvoiced | /θruː/ | We walked through the forest. |
| Three | Unvoiced | /θriː/ | I have three apples. |
| Thousand | Unvoiced | /ˈθaʊzənd/ | There are a thousand stars in the sky. |
| Thick | Unvoiced | /θɪk/ | The book is very thick. |
| Thin | Unvoiced | /θɪn/ | The paper is very thin. |
| Thirsty | Unvoiced | /ˈθɜːrsti/ | I am very thirsty. |
| Thorn | Unvoiced | /θɔːrn/ | The rose has a sharp thorn. |
| Thread | Unvoiced | /θred/ | I need a needle and thread. |
| Threat | Unvoiced | /θret/ | The storm is a serious threat. |
| Thrive | Unvoiced | /θraɪv/ | The plants thrive in the sun. |
| Throat | Unvoiced | /θroʊt/ | I have a sore throat. |
| Throne | Unvoiced | /θroʊn/ | The king sat on his throne. |
Words with ‘th’ in the Middle
The ‘th’ sound also appears within words. Here are some examples, categorized by voiced and unvoiced pronunciation.
| Word | Type | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother | Voiced | /ˈbrʌð.ər/ | My brother is a doctor. |
| Mother | Voiced | /ˈmʌð.ər/ | My mother is a teacher. |
| Father | Voiced | /ˈfɑː.ðər/ | My father works in a bank. |
| Weather | Voiced | /ˈweð.ər/ | The weather is beautiful today. |
| Together | Voiced | /təˈɡeð.ər/ | We went to the movies together. |
| Another | Voiced | /əˈnʌð.ər/ | I would like another cup of coffee. |
| Bathing | Voiced | /ˈbeɪ.ðɪŋ/ | She is bathing the baby. |
| Clothing | Voiced | /ˈkloʊ.ðɪŋ/ | I need to buy some new clothing. |
| Rather | Voiced | /ˈræð.ər/ | I would rather stay home tonight. |
| Bother | Voiced | /ˈbɑː.ðər/ | Please don’t bother me while I’m working. |
| Anything | Unvoiced | /ˈen.i.θɪŋ/ | Is there anything I can do to help? |
| Author | Unvoiced | /ˈɔː.θər/ | He is a famous author. |
| Birthday | Unvoiced | /ˈbɜːrθ.deɪ/ | Today is my birthday. |
| Healthy | Unvoiced | /ˈhel.θi/ | Eating fruits and vegetables is healthy. |
| Nothing | Unvoiced | /ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ/ | There is nothing to worry about. |
| Something | Unvoiced | /ˈsʌm.θɪŋ/ | I have something to tell you. |
| Everything | Unvoiced | /ˈev.ri.θɪŋ/ | Everything is going to be alright. |
| Length | Unvoiced | /leŋθ/ | The length of the room is 10 meters. |
| Width | Unvoiced | /wɪdθ/ | The width of the table is 2 meters. |
| Strength | Unvoiced | /streŋθ/ | He has a lot of strength. |
| Although | Voiced | /ɔːlˈðoʊ/ | Although it was raining, we went outside. |
| Further | Voiced | /ˈfɝː.ðɚ/ | Let’s discuss this further. |
| Gather | Voiced | /ˈɡæð.ər/ | We will gather for a meeting. |
| Southern | Voiced | /ˈsʌð.ərn/ | We are traveling to the southern states. |
| Northern | Voiced | /ˈnɔːr.ðərn/ | The northern lights are amazing. |
Words Ending with ‘th’
The ‘th’ sound can also appear at the end of words. Here are some examples, categorized by voiced and unvoiced pronunciation.
| Word | Type | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| With | Voiced | /wɪð/ | I am going with you. |
| Smooth | Voiced | /smuːð/ | The surface is very smooth. |
| Path | Unvoiced | /pæθ/ | The path is very narrow. |
| Bath | Unvoiced | /bæθ/ | I took a bath last night. |
| Tooth | Unvoiced | /tuːθ/ | I brushed my tooth. |
| Cloth | Unvoiced | /klɔθ/ | The cloth is very soft. |
| Worth | Unvoiced | /wɜːθ/ | It’s worth a lot of money. |
| Month | Unvoiced | /mʌnθ/ | January is the first month. |
| Health | Unvoiced | /helθ/ | Health is very important. |
| Death | Unvoiced | /deθ/ | The death rate has declined. |
| Both | Unvoiced | /boʊθ/ | Both options are good. |
| Growth | Unvoiced | /ɡroʊθ/ | The company is experiencing rapid growth. |
| Strength | Unvoiced | /streŋθ/ | He has a lot of strength. |
| Width | Unvoiced | /wɪdθ/ | The width of the table is 2 meters. |
| Length | Unvoiced | /leŋθ/ | The length of the room is 10 meters. |
Usage Rules for ‘th’
There aren’t strict grammatical rules dictating whether ‘th’ should be voiced or unvoiced. However, there are some tendencies and patterns that can help you.
As a general rule, ‘th’ at the beginning of function words (articles, pronouns, conjunctions) is usually voiced. ‘Th’ at the beginning of content words (nouns, adjectives, verbs) is usually unvoiced.
There are exceptions to these tendencies, so it’s best to learn the pronunciation of individual words.
Another tendency is that ‘th’ between vowels is often voiced. For example, in the word “mother,” the ‘th’ is voiced because it comes between the vowels ‘o’ and ‘e’.
However, this is also just a tendency and there are exceptions.
It’s important to listen to native speakers and practice pronunciation to develop an intuitive understanding of ‘th’ usage. Pay attention to the context and the surrounding words to help you determine the correct pronunciation.
Common Mistakes in ‘th’ Pronunciation
One of the most common mistakes is substituting the ‘th’ sound with similar sounds from the learner’s native language. For example, some learners might pronounce ‘th’ as /d/, /t/, /s/, /z/, or /f/.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and how to correct them:
| Word | Incorrect Pronunciation | Correct Pronunciation | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Think | /tɪŋk/ | /θɪŋk/ | Substituting /θ/ with /t/ |
| This | /dɪs/ | /ðɪs/ | Substituting /ð/ with /d/ |
| Three | /friː/ | /θriː/ | Substituting /θ/ with /f/ |
| Mother | /ˈmʌdər/ | /ˈmʌð.ər/ | Substituting /ð/ with /d/ |
| Bath | /bæs/ | /bæθ/ | Substituting /θ/ with /s/ |
| With | /wɪz/ | /wɪð/ | Substituting /ð/ with /z/ |
Another common mistake is not placing the tongue correctly between the teeth. This can result in a muffled or unclear sound.
Make sure to gently protrude your tongue between your teeth while pronouncing the ‘th’ sound.
Finally, some learners may not differentiate between the voiced and unvoiced ‘th’ sounds. Practicing minimal pairs (words that differ only by one sound) can help you improve your ability to distinguish between these sounds.
For example, “thin” and “tin” are minimal pairs that can help you practice the unvoiced ‘th’ sound.
Practice Exercises
These exercises will help you improve your pronunciation of the ‘th’ sound. Practice regularly to develop muscle memory and improve your accuracy.
Exercise 1: Minimal Pairs
Listen to or read the following pairs of words and identify the difference in pronunciation. Focus on the ‘th’ sound and try to pronounce each word clearly.
| Pair | Word 1 | Word 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thin (/θɪn/) | Tin (/tɪn/) |
| 2 | This (/ðɪs/) | Dis (/dɪs/) |
| 3 | Thank (/θæŋk/) | Tank (/tæŋk/) |
| 4 | Though (/ðoʊ/) | Doe (/doʊ/) |
| 5 | Theme (/θiːm/) | Team (/tiːm/) |
| 6 | They (/ðeɪ/) | Day (/deɪ/) |
| 7 | Thorn (/θɔːrn/) | Torn (/tɔːrn/) |
| 8 | Then (/ðen/) | Den (/den/) |
| 9 | Through (/θruː/) | True (/truː/) |
| 10 | There (/ðer/) | Dare (/der/) |
Answers: The difference in each pair is the presence or absence of the ‘th’ sound. Pay attention to the correct tongue placement and vocal cord vibration (or lack thereof) to differentiate the words.
Exercise 2: Sentence Pronunciation
Read the following sentences aloud, focusing on the correct pronunciation of the ‘th’ sounds. Pay attention to whether the ‘th’ is voiced or unvoiced.
| # | Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | This is the best thing that has ever happened. |
| 2 | Thank you for thinking of me. |
| 3 | They went through the forest. |
| 4 | My brother is taller than me. |
| 5 | The weather is beautiful today, though it’s a bit cold. |
| 6 | I need to buy some new clothes for the winter month. |
| 7 | Is there anything I can do to help you further? |
| 8 | Both of them are going to the party with us. |
| 9 | The author has written another book. |
| 10 | I think that’s worth a lot of money. |
Tips: Record yourself reading the sentences and listen back to identify areas for improvement. Compare your pronunciation to native speakers using online resources or language learning apps. Focus on maintaining a consistent and accurate ‘th’ sound throughout each sentence.
Exercise 3: Reading Practice
Read the following paragraph aloud, focusing on the correct pronunciation of the ‘th’ sounds.
The author thought that this was the best theory he had ever developed. He thanked his brother for helping him with the research.
Though the weather was cold, they went through the forest to gather more data. They knew that their findings would be worth a lot to the scientific community.
They had to think carefully about everything before they published their results. They were both very excited about the potential impact of their work.
Tips: Read slowly and deliberately, paying attention to each ‘th’ sound. Use a dictionary or online pronunciation guide to check the pronunciation of unfamiliar words. Practice regularly to improve your fluency and accuracy.
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, there are a few more nuanced aspects of ‘th’ pronunciation to consider. One is the assimilation of ‘th’ to surrounding sounds.
For example, in the phrase “with you,” the ‘th’ sound may become more like a /j/ sound due to the influence of the following “you.”
Another advanced topic is the variation in ‘th’ pronunciation across different dialects of English. Some dialects may have a more dental or alveolar pronunciation of ‘th’, while others may have a more labiodental pronunciation.
These variations are subtle, but they can affect the overall sound of your speech.
Finally, advanced learners should focus on using the ‘th’ sound naturally and effortlessly in conversation. This requires consistent practice and exposure to authentic English speech.
Try to incorporate new words and phrases containing the ‘th’ sound into your everyday vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the pronunciation of the ‘th’ sound.
- Why is the ‘th’ sound so difficult for non-native
speakers?Why is the ‘th’ sound so difficult for non-native speakers?
The ‘th’ sound is difficult because it doesn’t exist in many languages. Learners often try to substitute it with a similar sound from their native language, which can lead to mispronunciation.
- How can I improve my ‘th’ pronunciation?
How can I improve my ‘th’ pronunciation?
Practice regularly, focusing on correct tongue placement and vocal cord vibration. Listen to native speakers and compare your pronunciation to theirs. Use minimal pairs and sentence pronunciation exercises to improve your accuracy.
- Is there a difference between the British and American pronunciation of the ‘th’ sound?
Is there a difference between the British and American pronunciation of the ‘th’ sound?
The basic pronunciation of the ‘th’ sound is the same in British and American English. However, there may be slight variations in accent and intonation that affect the overall sound.
- Are there any words where the ‘th’ is silent?
Are there any words where the ‘th’ is silent?
No, there are no common English words where the ‘th’ is completely silent. However, in some words like “clothes,” the ‘th’ sound can be softened or elided in casual speech.
- How do I know whether to use the voiced or unvoiced ‘th’ sound?
How do I know whether to use the voiced or unvoiced ‘th’ sound?
As a general rule, ‘th’ at the beginning of function words is usually voiced, while ‘th’ at the beginning of content words is usually unvoiced. However, there are exceptions, so it’s best to learn the pronunciation of individual words.
Conclusion
Mastering the ‘th’ sound requires practice, patience, and attention to detail. By understanding the structural breakdown of the sound, recognizing the difference between voiced and unvoiced pronunciations, and practicing regularly with targeted exercises, you can significantly improve your pronunciation and communicate more effectively in English.
Remember to listen to native speakers, record yourself, and seek feedback to identify areas for improvement. With consistent effort, you can confidently use the ‘th’ sound in your everyday speech.