Introduction to Long Vowels > How to pronounce 'long o’ /oʊ/ > Common 'long o’ /oʊ/ spellings > Practice pronouncing 'long o’ /oʊ/

How to pronounce the 'long o' /oʊ/

The 'long o' /oʊ/ is a two-sound vowel that ends in a brief 'w sound' /w/.

Part 1: The body of the tongue is pushed back and in a low-to-mid mouth position and the bottom teeth can be felt along the sides of the tongue.

Part 2: The sound moves into a 'w sound' /w/ by raising the jaw slightly while closing the lips into a small circle. The body of the tongue moves upward until the tongue is near the back of the hard palate.