Though, tough, through, thought, thorough
These five words are often confused, misspelt and mispronounced. We advise to study them one by one and then do a series of exercises for practice.
though {mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/though-e537213c.mp3{/mp3}/ðəʊ/ — in spite of, despite the fact that, although
Examples
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/steven-went-to-ee45891f.mp3{/mp3}Steven went to work, though he didn’t feel very well.
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/sonia-failed-to-efec3e8f.mp3{/mp3}Sonia failed to get the job, though she answered all questions at the interview.
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/even-though-the-c2e2c38a.mp3{/mp3}Even though the weather was cold, we enjoyed the holiday.
tough {mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/tough-e75dc735.mp3{/mp3}/tʌf/ — hard, difficult, severe
Examples
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/ive-had-a-de284164.mp3{/mp3}I’ve had a tough day, I’m exhausted.
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/the-measures-were-cee8536c.mp3{/mp3}The measures were tough but absolutely necessary.
through {mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/through-39de4310.mp3{/mp3}/θruː/ — from one side to the other; with the help of, by means of
Examples
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/the-glass-was-24ea046f.mp3{/mp3}The glass was so dusty that I couldn’t see through it.
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/the-river-flows-cf9049d1.mp3{/mp3}The river flows through the city.
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/data-will-be-cf14d530.mp3{/mp3}Data will be gathered through various indicators rather than through questionnaires.
thought {mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/thought-16cd01b4.mp3{/mp3}/θɔːt/ — idea; past forms of the verb "to think"
Examples
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/what-are-your-d8ad4b4a.mp3{/mp3}What are your thoughts on the subject?
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/my-thoughts-started-355fb711.mp3{/mp3}My thoughts started to wander and I fell asleep.
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/thats-a-good-364f6f21.mp3{/mp3}That’s a good offer, give it some thought.
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/sorry-i-havent-2a0735ab.mp3{/mp3}Sorry, I haven't thought about it.
thorough {mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/thorough-56b6f3d2.mp3{/mp3}/ˈθʌrə/ — careful, detailed, in-depth
Examples
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/this-carpet-needs-ba8dafcb.mp3{/mp3}This carpet needs a thorough cleansing.
{mp3}/files/mp3/though-tough-thought/well-give-our-5f13d50d.mp3{/mp3}We’ll give our recommendations after a thorough analysis of the subject.