>> Learning the letter combination ow
1 Read and say the words for the names.
number, finger, actor, doctor, some, summer, London, skater, enter, monster, brother, other, wonder, love, dove, glove, come.
The letter combination ow in the middle of a word conveys the sound 
2 Listen and read.
town, brown, crown, crowd, down, clown, gown.
The letter combination ow at the end of a word is read as 
. 
3 Listen and read.
window, grow, low, show, borrow, yellow.
In the letter combination wh + o, w is not readable, so we read . 
4 Read.
who, whom, whose.
5 Listen, read and remember the diminutive synonyms of the words mother, father:
brown - brown clever - smart
father - dad who - who
town - city sister - sister
monster - monster brother - brother
mother - mother
Plural nouns
The plural of nouns is formed by adding the ending s to the noun: and rep - pens, and cat - cats.
After voiced consonants and vowels, the ending -s conveys sound.
After voiceless consonants, the ending -s conveys the sound [s]: and the torus - mops [s]. After hissing and whistling s, x, sh, ch, the ending -es is added to the word, which conveys the sound:
a bench-benches, a fax-faxes, a bus-buses, a bush-bushes.
6 Name these nouns in the plural.
tent, flat, desk, nut, bus, pencil, box, girl, boy, witch, brush, spoon, mug, job, room, actor, singer, driver, doctor.
7 Listen, read.
Cute and his father
Cute's father is very dissatisfied with the results of his son's work. He challenged him to a serious conversation, inviting him to follow the example of other family members.
Father: Who is this lady?
Cute: It's my mother, dad.
Father: What's your mother's job?
Cute: She is a manager.
Father: Is she a good manager?
Cute: Yes, she is.
Father: Who is that lady?
Cute: It's my sister, dad.
Father: What's your sister's job?
Cute: She is a doctor.
Father: Is she clever?
Cute: Yes, she is, dad.
Father: What's my job?
Cute: You are a driver.
Father: Who is this nice man?
Cute: It's my brother, dad.
Father: What's your brother's job?
Cute: He is my boss...
Father: Is he a good boss?
Cute: No, he is not. He is a monster. 
8 Work in pairs. Find out, friends. Use the plan.
A: What's your father's job?
Q: My father is a pilot.
A: What's your... job?
B: My mother is a...
Homework
1 Restore the dialogues.
She is my sister. What's ...job?
.......... ? My mother...
He is my brother. ...his sister's...?
............. ? She is...
That man is my father. ...a doctor?
.......... ? No, she isn't.
That lady is my mother. She...a teacher.
2 Translate these words into English.
beds, briefcases, apartments, benches, witches, socks, dresses, rabbits, streets, sisters, brothers, doctors, teachers, bosses.
3 Distribute the translated words into three columns according to the reading of the ending -s.
| AND | [S] | |
4 Prepare a dossier on Cute and his family using information from lessons 18, 19, 20.
Reading ow letter combinations
This letter combination is difficult to remember, as it has a number of words - exceptions to the rules. These words must be remembered. Reading rules ow
Letter combination -ow- can be read in two ways: as [əʋ] And . But in what cases it is read, in theory there are many versions. One is better than the other. And the main thing is that there are always a few exceptions to the rules and every time different words fall into the exceptions. For example, consider a few rules:
1. ow+ consonant= . Examples: town, down, owl, gown. Everything seems to be fine. There's no ow+consonant there! And in the word now there is no trace of a consonant after ow. Well, maybe this rule is also suitable as an option.
Still IMPORTANT! There are words that have 2 reading options, but depending on how you read the word, its meaning will change.
For example: bow- bend, bend; tilt) 
bow;
bow- arc, rainbow ( rainbow[ˈreɪnbəu] - rainbow) or bow (weapon); bow
although these words have a similar root meaning - after all, when we bow, we arch our backs. And what about the “bow” then?
2. ow at the end of a word -[əʋ] — all our exceptions fall there: snow, low, know, show, arrow. And what
what to do with the words now, how, cow? They fall into the exception. Although only 3 words - tempting! 
So, it turned out that this rule has claim to the best, so all the words fit it, and there are only 3 exceptions.
I found another rule that I will take as the main one in this article, although it is not the easiest. You are free to choose the rule that is closer and clearer to you.
Rule 1. -ow- is read as , if it is stressed in words with one syllable.
One more note: There are words tower, towel, flower. In theory, there is also the letter combination ow, but there is the letter -e, so the sound will be different.
Rule 2. -ow is pronounced [əʋ] if it is unstressed and the word consists of two syllables. That is, in these words the stress falls on the first syllable. In any case, pronounce Au in without stressed syllable unreal. You can try)))
Exceptions: low - low, snow - snow, know - know, row - row, grow - grow, throw - throw, show - show - read as [əʊ]
IN English language reading two consecutive vowels in a stressed syllable is different from reading each one separately. At the same time, you should not confuse combinations of vowels and two adjacent vowel letters belonging to different syllables. Such adjacent letters occur at the junction of a prefix and a root or a root and a suffix or ending. For example: bean – a combination of vowels; react – two adjacent vowels.
To make it easier to memorize letter combinations, you need to know the letters that duplicate each other, which form combinations that sound the same. Such duplicates are the letters: “i” = “y”; "u" = "w". They form identical-sounding combinations: ai = ay, ei = ey, oi = oy [ɔı], au = aw [ɔ:], eu = ew, ou = ow (in the middle of a word).
The letter “y” before a vowel produces the consonant sound [j]. For example: yes - yes, yard - yard.
For ease of memorization, we will divide the combinations into groups:
| Group | Combination | Sound | Examples | Note |
| 1 | oi = oy | [ɔı] | boy - boy, voice - voice | |
| ei = ey | eight – eight, they [ðeı] – they | |||
| Both letters are read by their Latin names | ||||
| 2 | au = aw | [ɔ:] | pause pause, saw - saw | |
| oo | too - too, too | |||
| oo+k | [ʊ] | took – took, took | ||
| ou | out | |||
| ow | [əʊ], | at the end of the word: know - know, snow - snow at the beginning or middle of a word: down - down |
||
| A special reading that does not follow from reading each letter separately | ||||
| 3 | ai = ay | aim - goal, day - day | ||
| oa | [əʊ] | road - road, coat - coat | ||
| oe | [əʊ] | toe – toe | ||
| ue | [(j)u:] | due - due | ||
| ui | [(j)u:] | fruit – fruit | ||
| ea | sea – sea | |||
| ee | see – to see | |||
| ie | , | lie - lie, chief - leader | ||
| ye | rye - rye | |||
| Only the first letter is read by its alphabetical name | ||||
| 4 | eu = ew | [(j)u:] | neutral [‘nju:trəl] – neutral, new – new, crew – team | |
| Only the second letter is readable as in the alphabet | ||||
| 5 | air, air | air – air, their [ðeə] – theirs | ||
| ear, eer | [ıə] | ear [ıə] – ear, cheer – greeting | ||
| Aryan combinations. The letter “r” turns the second sound of nonary combinations into the indefinite sound “ə” |
1st group of English vowel combinations
Main features of this group:
— combinations “oi”, “oy” are read as diphthong [ɔı]. For example: noise - noise, boy - boy;
- in the unstressed position, the combinations “oi”, “oy” are read in the same way as in the stressed position. For example: turmoil [‘tз:mɔıl] – turmoil, envoy [‘envɔı] – messenger;
- combinations “ei”, “ey” are read as diphthong. For example: eight - eight, they [ðeı] - they. Or as long, for example: receive - receive, key - key;
— exceptions: the combination “ei” is read as in the words either [‘aıðə] – also, neither [‘naıðə] – none, height – height, read as [e] in the word leisure [‘leʒə] – leisure;
- in the unstressed position, the combinations “ei”, “ey” are read as a weakened sound [ı], that is, with reduction, for example: foreign [‘fɒrın] – foreign, money [‘mʌnı] – money;
- combinations “ei”, “oi” occur in the middle of words;
- combinations “ey”, “oy” occur at the end of words.
2nd group of English vowel combinations
The following features can be distinguished in this group:
- combinations of “au” and “aw” are read as a long sound [ɔ:], for example: daughter [‘dɔ:tə] – daughter, law – law;
- it is necessary to remember that in some cases the combination “au” is read as, for example: aunt - aunt, laugh - laughter, or as [ɒ] - because - because;
- the combination “oo” is read as a long sound, for example: too - also, moon - moon;
- exceptions: the combination “oo” is read as [ʊ] in the words foot - leg, good - good, soot - soot, stood - stood, wood - wood, wool - wool; reads like [ʌ] in the words blood - blood and flood - flood;
- the combination “oo” + “k” is read as a short sound [ʊ], for example: look - to look, book - book;
- in most cases the combination “ou” is pronounced as a diphthong. For example: sound - sound, out - outside;
— it is necessary to remember that in words borrowed from French, the combination “ou” is read as . For example: you - you, bouquet - bouquet;
- the reading of the combination “ou” is different from general rule and is read as [ʌ] in the words: country ['kʌntrı] - country, enough [ı'nʌf] - enough, rough - roughly, trouble - trouble, young - young, and also reads as “əʊ” in the words shoulder [ '∫əʊldə] – shoulder, though [ðəʊ] – although, reads like [ɒ] in the word cough – cough;
- in an unstressed position, the combination “ou” is read as a neutral sound [ə]. For example: nervous [‘nз:vəs] – excited, famous [‘feıməs] – famous;
- the combination “ow” is read as or as [əʊ]. For example: now - now, snow - snow, bow - bow;
— it is necessary to remember that in the word knowledge [‘nɒlıdʒ] – knowledge, the combination “ow” is read as [ɒ];
— in the unstressed position the combination “ow” is read the same way as in the stressed [əʊ]. For example: window [‘wındəʊ] – window, yellow [‘jeləʊ] – yellow;
- due to the irregularity of reading the combinations “ou” and “ow”, they should be checked using dictionary transcription and memorized.
3rd group of English vowel combinations
This is the largest group of vowel combinations. Let's look at the features of these combinations:
- the combinations “ai” and “ay” are pronounced as a diphthong. For example: main – main, day – day;
- exception words with combinations of “ai” and “ay”: said - said, says - says;
- in the unstressed position, the combinations “ai” and “ay” are reduced to a short [ı], for example: mountain [‘maʊntın] – mountain, Sunday [‘sʌndı] – Sunday;
- sometimes the combinations “ai” and “ay” are completely absorbed if they are followed by the letter “n” in an unstressed syllable. For example: certain [‘sз:t(ə)n] – indisputable, Britain [‘brıt(ə)n] – Great Britain;
— the combinations “oa” and “oe” are read as a diphthong [əʊ]. For example: boat - boat, toe - toe;
— you need to remember the following exceptions: abroad [ə’brɔ:d] – abroad, does – does;
- in the unstressed position, the combinations “oa” and “oe” are pronounced in the same way as in the stressed position: cocoa [‘kəʊkəʊ] – cocoa;
— the combinations “ue” and “ui” are read as . For example: fruit - fruit, cruise - cruise, due - must, Tuesday [‘tju:zdı] - Tuesday;
- the combination “ee” is read as long, for example: see - to see, meet - to meet;
- the combination “ie” has a reading, for example: piece - part, chief - leader, believe - believe. But in monosyllabic words with an open syllable (when the word ends in a vowel), the combination “ie” is read as in english alphabet: tie – tie, lie – lie;
- in an unstressed position, the combination “ie” is pronounced with a short sound [ı]. For example: Willie [‘wılı] – Willie, Freddie [‘fredı] – Freddie;
- the combination “ye” is pronounced like . For example: dye - paint, rye - rye.
4th group of English vowel combinations
There are two combinations in this group:
— the combination “eu” is read as and occurs in the middle of a word. For example: feud – enmity, neutral [‘nju:tr(ə)l] – neutral;
- the combination “ew” occurs at the end of a word and has different reading options: (new – new, few – few, steward [‘stju:əd] – steward) or (chew – chew, crew – team).
5th group of English vowel combinations
- ary combinations are similar to non-ary ones, but the second element of the diphthong or the length of a single vowel sound is replaced by an indefinite sound [ə]: , .
In conclusion, it should be said that in all doubtful cases, to find out the pronunciation English words When reading combinations of English vowels, you will have to quite often refer to the transcription of words in the dictionary.
"We looked at the basic rules for reading consonant letters. Don't think that just by remembering these, you will be able to read any English word correctly. You will definitely come across an unfamiliar word that will not be read according to the rule. But yes, 90% will obey you. In any case, knowing these patterns of reading various letter combinations, you can guess how the word you need is read. And if in doubt, still look in the dictionary.
Rules for reading English: vowels
- The first letter in line A.
What sounds can it make?
- in an open stressed syllable, in combinations ai, ay , and before the letter combination ange : baker, crane, cable, gain, rain, bay, stay, change, dangerous. Among the exceptions: many, have, said.
- in combinations ai , ay , age in an unstressed syllable this letter gives the sound [i]: carriage, captain, storage.
- [æ] in a closed syllable: cap, dangle, factor, hatch, rash, rat.
- [Ɔ] in a closed syllable after w, wh : wad, waffle, what.
- [Ə] in an unstressed syllable: myopia, pasta, regalia.
- [ƐƏ] in combinations air, are : hair, bare, pair, rare, stair, mare.
- in combinations ar, aft, ass, ance, ast, ath, ans, ask, ant, alf, anch : card, barge, craft, after, grass, dance, glance, last, past, rather, father, answer , bask, task, plant, grant, half, calf, branch. Among the exceptions: mass, gather, pathos.
- [Ɔ:] before l or l+ consonant, as well as in combinations au, aw, aught, auth, war, quar : call, football, altogether, punch, law, caught, authority, warble, quart, quarterly.
- The second letter will be ABOUT.
Her range of sounds is as follows:
- in an open stressed syllable, before the letter l, letter combinations ll, ld, st, and also in combination oa And ow (at the end of words): so, ago, note, provoke, rose, enroll, bold, coat, oath, oat, road, boast, show, mow, blow, most, post. Among the exceptions: do, does, who, now, how, cost, lost.
- [Ɔ] in a closed stressed syllable: plot, fox, spot, knot, drop.
- in combination oo : moon, afternoon, poop, rooter. Exceptions: good, wood, foot, etc.
- [u] in combination oo , but before the letter k : cook, look, brook, hookey, nook, rookie.
- in combinations ou, ow in the middle of a word: gown, clown, crown, crowd, about, cloud, proud, bound. Among the exceptions: enough, country, double, touch, young, bowl.
- [Ɔi] in combinations oi, oh : choice, voice, boil, spoil, enjoy, loyal, toy.
- [Ɔ:] combined or in the shock position, as well as in combinations oor, ore, oar, ough+t And our (in the middle of a word): fort, corn, boring, torn, adore, floor, door, therefore, more, board, bought, fought, sought, source, mourn, course, pour. Among the exceptions: poor, moor, courage. Combination our under stress it can produce another sound - : hour, sour, lour, But four. The same combination at the end of words is conveyed by the sound [Ə], just like the combination or in a non-impact position: neighbor, labour, doctor, creator, illustrator.
- [Əs] - this is how we read the combination ous at the end of the words: glamorous, amazing, curious.
- [Ə:] is the reading of the combination wor in impact position: world, workable, worse, worship. Exception: worn .
- [ᴧ] – this sound occurs when reading combinations oth, on, om, ov under emphasis: mother, other, month, son, some, become, lover, dove. Note: both .
- The next vowel from the rules of reading English is the letter E.
What sounds can we encounter in her presence:
- in open stressed syllables and combinations ee, ea: be, fetor, Steve, feel, peel, teeth, seem, breathe, dean, meal, peace. Among the exceptions: great .
- [e] in a closed stressed syllable and in combination ea before letters d, n and letter combinations th, sure : nest, pet, mental, spread, steady, feather, weather, measure, treasure, meant, cleanser. Among the exceptions: read , lead .
- in combinations ei, ey in a stressed syllable: prey, convey, eight, freighter.
- read with combinations eu, ew: few, nephew, Europe, deuterium.
- [Ə:] should be read in combinations er in a stressed syllable, and in ear followed by a consonant: deserve, Berlin, mercy, earth, pearl, dearth. Among the exceptions: heart. If the combination er is in an unstressed position, the same sound appears, only short rather than long [Ə]: limber, answer, producer, perhaps.
- we will pronounce in combinations ear, eer, ere : near, dear, fear, career, steer, here, hemisphere. Among the exceptions: bear , there [ƐƏ], were .
- [i] – this is how the letter will be read E in an open unstressed syllable (including the combination er ), in combinations et And ey at the end of the words: prevent, erect, exact, regret, restore, regress, bonnet, planet, closet, journey, attorney, honey.
- Let's move on to the vowel I.
In addition to alphabetic reading, this vowel also produces other sounds:
- in a stressed open syllable, in combination ie at the end of monosyllabic words and before letter combinations such as nd, ld,gn, gh : prime, kite, bite, die, blind, mind, wind(turn), child, wild, design, sign, sigh, high, fight, bright. Among the exceptions: wind- wind, gild ,live, forgive, cinema.
- in a closed stressed syllable and in an unstressed position this letter is read as [i]: brick, risk, whist, testimony, handiwork, inclusion.
- a long sound is produced when reading a combination ie in the middle of root words: field, priest, grief, believe. Exception: friend .
- [Ɛ:] requires combination ir in impact position: stir, first, thirty, girl.
- in combinations ire, ia, io : desire, mire, diagnosis, bias, violinist, riot.
- The penultimate vowel will be Y
.
It has five sound options different cases:
- in a stressed open syllable: cry, lye, byway, cynosure.
- [i] in a closed stressed syllable and in an open unstressed one: mystery, syntax, randy, oily, quandary. But: apply[Ə’plai]
- in combination yr+ consonant this is the sound [Ɛ:]: myrtle. And in the same combination, only in the company of a subsequent vowel we get the sound: lyre, pyre, gyration.
- [j] at the beginning of a word before vowels: yard, yellow, yawl, youth, yet, yolk.
- And finally, the letter U
. What should you know about the sounds it produces?
- in a stressed open syllable: puce, mute, lurid, fuel, cucumber.
- [ᴧ] in a closed syllable: publicity, pug, mug, mustard, butter, fun, hurry. Among the exceptions: put, push, pull, full, etc.
- [Ɛ:] in combination ur in a stressed syllable: purpose, purse, hurl, urban, urge. But: current[‘kᴧrƏnt].
- and in the same combination, but in an unstressed syllable, as well as simply in an unstressed position in words, this letter is read [Ə]: suggest, supply, mustache, suppose. Note: mercury[‘mƏ:kjuri].
- before the letter r and the following vowel: pure, furious, mural. But: sure[ʃuƏ].
- after letters l, r, j in combinations ue,ui : true, blue, juice.
If you are studying with a teacher (