About this lesson
English has two TH sounds, and they use the same mouth shape. The tip of your tongue rests lightly at your front teeth, or just through them, and air slips out over it. One TH is only air, as in think. The other adds your voice, as in this. The teachers in this mix agree that the contact is gentle. It is not a hard bite.
The most common problem is that TH turns into another sound. If you hear a d or t, the tongue is blocking the air, so soften the touch and keep the rest of the tongue low. If you hear s or z, the tongue is staying inside your teeth. If you hear f or v, the bottom lip is creeping up. A mirror, a finger in front of your lips, or holding the sound for two seconds will show you which one is happening.
Teachers disagree on small points, such as how far out the tongue should go and whether any biting is fine. Several say a quick TH in fast, small words can sit nearer the teeth, but they all say to learn the full sound first. No video here promises a quick fix. Short practice every day works better than one long session, and real change takes weeks.
Examples from the clips
- Rachel's English explains why TH turns into d or t for many learners, and how a gentle tongue tip fixes it.
- Accent's Way English with Hadar shows how to work out what your TH turns into, then use a finger, a mirror and the lips to correct it.
- Pronunciation with Emma builds the voiced TH by starting from a vowel, so you feel the buzz, then sliding the tongue into position.
- Accent's Way English with Hadar also shows how to move between S and TH inside a phrase.
Questions this lesson answers
How do I pronounce TH in English?
Rest the tip of your tongue lightly against, or just through, your front teeth and let air flow over it. For the voiced TH, switch your voice on as well.
Why does my TH sound like d, t, s or f?
A d or t means the tongue is blocking the air. An s or z means it stays inside your teeth. An f or v means your bottom lip is involved. Listen for the one you make and fix that.
Should I bite my tongue for TH?
No. The teeth rest on the tongue and do not clamp it. Teachers differ on how far the tongue comes out, but none of them want hard pressure, because it blocks the air.
How do I know if a TH is voiced or airy?
Put your fingers on your throat. If you feel a buzz, it is voiced. There are rough guides, such as small grammar words usually being voiced, but they have exceptions, so treat them as guides, not rules.
How long until my TH sounds natural?
There is no set number of days. Teachers recommend a few minutes of practice every day, and expect weeks of repeating before it feels automatic.