Does the 'AW' Sound Make the Short O Sound in English?

Learn why the 'aw' sound does not produce the short 'o' sound and how it differs in pronunciation with examples like 'paw' and 'pot'.

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No, the 'aw' sound does not typically make the short 'o' sound found in words like 'pot' or 'not'. The 'aw' combination is often used in English to represent a broader, more open sound, as heard in 'paw' or 'law'. The key difference lies in the mouth shape and the length of the vowel sound.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What sound does 'aw' make in English? The 'aw' sound in English typically represents a broad, open vowel sound pronounced like in 'paw' or 'law', distinct from the short 'o' sound.
  2. Is 'aw' pronounced like the short 'o' sound in words like 'pot'? No, the 'aw' sound is not the same as the short 'o' sound; it is generally longer and more open than the short 'o' vowel sound.
  3. How can I distinguish between the 'aw' and short 'o' sounds? You can distinguish them by the mouth shape and vowel length: 'aw' is more open and longer, as in 'paw', while short 'o' is shorter and rounded, as in 'pot'.