diphthongs

A diphthong means having two sounds. They are complex vowel sounds in which the tongue moves from one place to another when we say them. They are also known as gliding vowels because of this movement. In phonetics, diphthongs are vowels in which there is a noticeable sound change within the same syllable.

Every vowel has its own short sound and long vowel sound. Vowel ‘a’ as both a long as short sound, e.g. bat, bait, etc. However, diphthongs come into play whenever a vowel makes a new and different sound. This happens because the vowel is working in conjunction with another vowel.

 

 

 

The above list or chart is for ou words. Read the words. See how the tongue moves when you say these words.

 

 

 

ou and ow are pairs that make the same sound as in mouse and now. But please note than in some words ‘ou’ makes another sound as soup, group, wound, etc. Some ow words make the long vowel sound ‘o’ as in slow, bow, grow, etc. You can find the other word list for ow words in the long sound words list Pack.

 

 

 

This au words list or chart has the au sound highlighted making it easier for kids to read. These phonics word list also work as a wonderful special education resource.

 

 

 

Another combination that makes the same sound as ‘au’ is the ‘aw’ sound. Hear the sound in aw words like yawn, draw, jaw, etc.

 

 

 

The next phonics word list is for oi words. Hear the sound in the words, oil, soil, coin, etc.

 

 

 

Another combination that makes the same sound as oi is ‘oy’. The above phonics word list is for oy words. Ploy, boy, joy, etc. are some words that have the oy sound.

 

This phonics word list for diphthongs is free for subscribers to download.