* "ough" with the "o" sound:
* Thought: /θɔːt/
* Bought: /bɔːt/
* Caught: /kɔːt/
* Sought: /sɔːt/
* Brought: /brɔːt/
These words all have the same vowel sound as the word "lot."
Why is it so inconsistent?
The spelling "ough" has been around for centuries and its pronunciation has shifted over time. This is due to a combination of factors, including:
* Evolution of sounds in the language: The way English is pronounced has changed over time.
* Influence of different dialects: Different regions have different pronunciations of words.
* Borrowings from other languages: English has borrowed words from many languages, sometimes keeping their original spelling even if the pronunciation changed.
It's all about context!
The only way to figure out how to pronounce "ough" is by learning the specific word or by looking it up in a dictionary.
Let me know if you'd like to explore any of the other "ough" pronunciations!