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How many different ways can you think of to pronounce ough?

You're right to ask! The "ough" combination is notorious in English for its inconsistent pronunciation. Here are just a few ways it can be pronounced:

Common Pronunciations:

* "ow" as in "now" (e.g., "bough", "dough", "though")

* "oh" as in "go" (e.g., "though", "rough", "enough")

* "off" as in "cough" (e.g., "cough", "trough", "tough")

* "uh" as in "cup" (e.g., "through", "ought")

* "oo" as in "moon" (e.g., "through")

Less Common Pronunciations:

* "uff" as in "buff" (e.g., "rough", archaic)

Additional Notes:

* The pronunciation of "ough" can also be influenced by regional dialects.

* Some words with "ough" are pronounced differently depending on their meaning (e.g., "bow" as a noun meaning a curved shape vs. "bow" as a verb meaning to bend).

This is a great example of how English spelling can be tricky! It's a fun challenge to learn the different ways "ough" can be pronounced.

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