English Pronunciation: How to say words ending with -OW: grow, cow, slow, now...

WATCH NEXT:

TRANSCRIPT

Hello. This is Gill at engVid, and today we have a lesson on the pronunciation of words containing the letters "o-w". Okay? So, there are two different ways of pronouncing these words, and some are pronounced both ways and spelt the same, but they mean different things; there are other words which are only pronounced in one way, and not the other. So, let's just have a look at these examples. Okay.

So, "o-w" in the word, it's either the vowel sound: "a-oo", which I've spelt: "a-o-o", "a-oo", like when somebody hits you, you say: "Ow! Ow, that hurt. Ow." Or at least in English we say it that way. Okay. So: "a-oo" is one of the pronunciations. And: "oh", like when you're surprised: "Oh. Oh. I didn't know that. Oh." So: "oh" is the other vowel sound. Okay.

So, first of all, let's look at the three words where there are both. So: "a-oo", you can have: "bow" and you can have: "bow". So, "bow" is when you go like this. You sort of bend over politely: "bow". Usually men do that. "Bow". But there's also something called a "bow", which is if you have a ribbon in your hair or something like that, and you tie it in a bow; you do this. Or if you have shoes with laces, you tie your shoelaces in a bow. Okay, so we have: "bow", "ba-oo", and "bow". Right. Okay.

Next one: "row" and "row". So, a "row" is a lot of noise. "Oh, there's a row going on out there. That's noisy. People are shouting. There's a row." It could be an argument between people: "They're having a row." The neighbours next door, you can hear their voices, they're having a row; they're disagreeing about something, so that's "row". But "row" is either when things are in lines, like that, that's a line or a row; or you can also... If you're in a boat with oars like this, you row; you row the boat. You're doing this with the wooden oars to get through the water, to move through the water. That's also to row the boat, and it's a rowing boat. Okay.

Next one: "sow" and "sow". So, a "sow" is a female pig; that's pretty much the only meaning for it - a female pig is a sow. Okay. To "sow", s-o-w is to put seeds in the ground for them to grow. So, you can link "sow" with "grow", if it helps you remember - put the seeds in the soil, they will grow. Sow the seeds, they will grow. It's not the same as this spelling of "sew", "s-e-w", which is with a needle and thread. If I'm sewing on a button which has come off, that's "sew" with an "e", so it's not that; but it's the same pronunciation. Okay.

Right. So those are the three pairs which have both pronunciations. And then we have two lists of words which just have one. So, the "a-oo" vowel sound, we have: "brow", which is the same as your forehead; is your brow. And you've got "eyebrows". These are eyebrows and this is your brow. Okay?

"Cow", the animal that you get milk from. The cow. "How? How do you do something? How?" or: "How are you?"

"Now", at this moment; now. "Plow", this is the American spelling; the English spelling is slightly different, but it's the same pronunciation. We spell it, in the U.K.: "p-l-o-u-g-h", but the American spelling is "plow" - "p-l-o-w". So, that's another one. To plow a field; to churn up the soil - again, maybe if you're sowing seeds in agriculture. Okay. So, the plow is the equipment that you use to cut into the soil; often pulled by horses, or it may be a tractor or something with an engine nowadays. Okay. "Plow".

This word: "pow" is a sort of, like a comic book. "Pow", "pow", when people hit each other. You get this "pow". It sort of represents the sound of someone being hit or something exploding, that sort of thing. Okay. "Prow" is the front of a ship. The prow of a ship. And "vow" is another word for a promise; to vow to do something is to promise to do something. Okay. So those are the "a-oos", there.

And then the "oh" list, from here: a "crow" is a bird; a big, black bird. "Crow". "Flow", "flow". Water flows; liquid flows. "Flow". "Glow" is to do with light shining. […]

[mr]

I can't believe our dear Gill passed away on Feb 13th, 2024. She was a daily friend with her kindness and her special way to teach English, but also to introduce to English culture, poetry, history, arts. I will never forget her kindness. It makes me so emotional. Will you be always remembered. Maurice from France 🇫🇷

[dodomarek]

I wish all children on the earth would have have an English teacher like dear lady Gill. Thank you!

[hugosilveira]

I am brazilian.i study english 45 years. I can not hear but i will study in england one day to learn perfectly. I am 60 years old

[nikonfx]

Dear Gill. Words could not say all. I only want to say that you the the best of the best teacher in the world. Thank you so much.

[camilojoseacevedo]

My dear lady...you don't have an idea how much I enjoy learning and reviewing English language..My deepest respect to You..greetings from the capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

[gustavo]

Thank you, Gill! I love to learn your language with you and this marvelous accent!!! From Brazil.

[Lovely_xiao_ai]

Good afternoon Miss Gill⚘ !I 'm african french from Paris .I'm 17 .
I live in London since 2 years now and
thanks to you and your videos,
my family and I have improved a lot !!!
Thank you so much 💕💕💕

[ntouakantou]

This series of english pronounciation is just brilliant! I've been living in the UK for the past 6 months and I was so confused until now. You are a lovely lady, thank you so much!

[seheraktas]

I listen to you with relish from Turkey. Thank you so much💛

[husseinamer]

my dear lady Gill i do not think that words can express how you are a very perfect teacher. God bless you.

[ЗебоБаротова-гп]

Thank Goodness that we have found this wise teacher like you. Hi from Tajikistan.❤❤❤

[paulpivnev]

Поразительная женщина! Я русский и не очень понимаю английский, но её понимаю!😊😊😊

[marciofonseca]

10 minutes time for a English lesson video is just perfect in my opinion.

[blancarubio]

I've learned more english with you than others. Thanks a lot!!! From Mexico.

[othomkoug]

Thank so much for teaching me very easy way to learning English language....stay teaching us always our great teacher.

[yurefonseca]

God bless you, teacher. We gonna miss you <3

[YuliaHadassahK]

I really like these videos 😊 I've lived in the UK for more than 6 years now and would be very familiar with most of the things taught in EngVid videos, but there's something about listening to Gill and her beautiful accent and there's always something more to learn in every video, even for advanced speakers, maybe even for natives, who knows 😉

[alexandremelo]

One of the best teachers of English (if not the best) in terms of didactics I have seen!

[Indy.]

I could listen to you for hours. <3

[ayushidayal]

Thank you ma’am you’re gentle and adorable 😭😭❤️