AW: awful, saw
- Introduction
- Examples
- Test
- Not the same as AWAY
- LAW vs. LOW
1. Introduction
The AW spelling is often mispronounced. AW is usually pronounced as /ɔː/ which is the same as OR in a strong syllable. So SAW /sɔː/ and SORE /sɔː/ will sound the same (in my accent!).
Listen and repeat with the examples beneath.
2. Examples
FLAW /flɔː/ and FLOOR /flɔː/ sound the same in my accent:
...but in most American accents they would sound different, (the vowel in FLAW would not use rounded lips and the R in FLOOR would be pronounced).
From LAW /lɔː/ we get LAWYER, which some people say as /lɔːjə/ and some say as /lɔɪə/:
3. Test
Read the following sentences out loud, taking special care with the AW spellings. I've chosen AW words that will be less familiar to you. Then listen to the audio to check your pronunciation:
BRAWN = physical strength.
THAW = unfreeze. We use this word for food which stays solid when unfrozen. If it turns into a liquid, (e.g. ice, ice-cream), then we say it MELTS. When we talk about snow, we can use both THAW and MELT.
TRAWL = search thoroughly
4. Not the same as AWAY
The beginning of AWAY looks the same as AWFUL, but the pronunciation is different. This is because in AWAY, the A and W do not belong together. The A is a weak syllable, pronounced with the SCHWA /ə/. Listen to the pronunciation below, along with some similar words:
5. LAW vs. LOW
If you are not sure about the difference between LAW and LOW then this page is for you.