The Confusing and Mysterious Sound \/Th\/

The phonetic “th” stands out as a unique sound. Sometimes it’s difficult to hear and becomes substituted with s, z, f, v, d or t! It’s a very commonly mispronounced sound. It’s found in words like “think,” “thumb,” “thank you,” or “breath”. Also “this,” “father,” or “rather”. Yet, mastering the pronunciation of “th” can be a challenge for English language learners.


In this blog, we’ll delve into the intricacies of this tricky sound, exploring its formation, spelling, and even some tongue twisters to improve your pronunciation.


Understanding “Th” – the sound from a Phonetic perspective


The “th” sound in English is represented by two symbols in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): [θ] and [ð].


At school you probably learned that th = the sound /tha/ as in the voiced sound. BUT, th also has an unvoiced twin that is not mentioned as often.

Let me explain: The voiceless “th” is represented by [θ], as in “think,” while the voiced “th” is represented by [ð], as in “this.”



The Phonics Perspective on TH

Understanding “Th” – the sound from a Phonetic perspective


The “th” sound in English is represented by two symbols in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): [θ] and [ð].


At school you probably learned that th = the sound /tha/ as in the voiced sound. BUT, th also has an unvoiced twin that is not mentioned as often.

Let me explain: The voiceless “th” is represented by [θ], as in “think,” while the voiced “th” is represented by [ð], as in “this.”


How to Make the Sounds [θ] and [ð]


Both of these sounds are produced by bringing the tongue forward so that it is lightly in contact with the upper and lower teeth. Then allow air to pass through the gap, creating a frictional sound.

To made [ð] add voice. Allow air to pass through while vibrating your vocal cords. “This”


To make [θ] just use your breath. Allow air to flow between your tongue and teeth while gently pushing air out. “Three.“


As you can imagine, if you are not used to making this movement with your tongue, or don’t have this sound in your first language, it feels a bit awkward. It’s hard to hear and hard to make, so as a result, it is often substituted with other sounds.


Spelling of the “th” sound


In English, the “th” sound is spelled quite consistently with “th”. This consistency can make it easier for learners to identify and pronounce words correctly. But hold on! It could be voiced or unvoiced! Exactly, except for not knowing necessarily if it is voiced or unvoiced. But here is a little secret, the voice or unvoiced /th/ will not cause too much confusion. It’s unlikely to change the meaning of the sentence. And the /th/ is influenced by the sounds around it. So “with” could be voice or unvoiced /th/ and still be comprehendible. But if you substitute /th/ with /t/ making it “wit”, that’s a different word entirely.


In short, substituting sounds with the wrong sound is confusing: “Tree teas tanks or somesing else because you are firsty.”


Familiarising yourself with commonly used words is crucial for mastering this sound.


Top tip: use a dictionary that provides phonetic transcript. Now that you know the symbols of [θ] and [ð] it will be easy to work out which sound to use.


Unvoiced examples: Thin, Think, Bath, Earth, Birthday, Strength, Month.

Voiced examples: Mother, Father, Either, Breathe, Gather, This, Them.

Exercises for Improvement of the /th/ sound

1. Minimal Pairs Practice:


Pair words that differ only in the “th” sound, such as “think” and “sink,” and practice saying them aloud to distinguish between the two sounds.

Think – tink – sink

Sank – thank – shank – tank

Shy – thigh – tie

Three – tree – free

Thirst – first

Thin – fin – tin – sin

Pit – pith


2. Word Repetition:


Repeat words containing the “th” sound multiple times, focusing on articulating the sound accurately and consistently.


3. Sentences Practice:


Construct your own sentences containing words with the “th” sound and practice speaking them fluently.


4. Reading Aloud:


Read passages or articles aloud, paying attention to words with the “th” sound, and strive for clarity and accuracy in pronunciation.


5. Tongue Twisters:


Tongue twisters are a good way to challenge your pronunciation skills. Here are a few featuring the “th” sound:


Through tick and thin.

They’re as thick as thieves.

If a thing’s worth dong, it’s worth doing well.

The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday.

The thumb, the finger.

This here. That there.


Mastering the phonetic “th” sound in English requires patience, practice, and perseverance. By understanding its formation, familiarising yourself with its spelling variations, engaging in targeted exercises, and tackling tongue twisters, you can enhance your pronunciation skills and communicate with confidence. Embrace the challenge!


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