TH sounds

That terrible TH sound

Yes, it's that terrible sound that French people hate to make. But, let's face it, those things turn up more often than you think. (Just count the TH's in that last sentence!)

Here's a video intro to this topic. I've asked my husband to help me with some videos to demonstrate pronunciation since he has such a clear voice and lovely mid-Atlantic accent. (Ireland + Canada = great accent!)


TH sound with air only

Here are some TH sounds that do not use your vocal cords. 

You just use air to make this TH sound.

Remember to stick your tongue out between your teeth.

Examples:

At the beginning of the word - 

Thanks

Thin

Think

Third

Thirteen

Thirty

Three

Thursday

Thumb

In the middle of the word - 

Anything

Athlete 

Bathtub

Birthday

Healthy

Something

Toothpick

Worthwhile

At the end of the word - 

Breath

Earth

Fifth

Math

Mouth 

Ninth

North 

South 

Teeth

Tenth

Tooth

Worth

TH sounds that use your vocal cords.

At the beginning - 

That

The 

Their 

There 

Them 

These 

They 

They’re 

This

Those 

In the middle - 

Another 

Brother 

Clothes [exception to the rule! This is pronounced CLOZE, as in "Close the door."]

Clothing 

Either 

Father 

Feather 

Mother 

Other 

Weather

At the end - 

Bathe 

Breathe

Smooth 

Try to read some sentences:

The meeting will take place this Thursday.

My brother is thirteen today. He wants some cool clothes for his birthday.

My father always picks his teeth with a toothpick after he eats. 

The weather in the south of France is very stormy this week, while the weather in the north is calm.

Those brothers are always misbehaving. They are always into something or another. Last Thursday I told their mother I didn’t want them to play with my son anymore. 

That clothing line is very expensive, but my mother thinks it is not worth it. 

Thanks for inviting me to lunch. The food was healthy and tasty. 

Math is my least favorite subject. I think literature is much more interesting. 

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You can find all of these videos and more on my YouTube channel.