CHAPTER 45

Using igh, ough, augh

Without a doubt. the most annoying spellings in the English language are the ancient igh, ough, and

augh. They are thousand-year-old relics that should have vanished centuries ago, but never did. The gh
sound was once pronounced and can still be heard in the Scottish pronunciation of loch, but though the
spelling remains, the sound has disappeared from general speech.
A great many popular words contain one of these spellings and there are no rules to help the student.
The best we can do is list the most commonly used words according to their various sounds.
Note that the British pronounce slough to rhyme with cow. In North America, the word slough has
become two words. When referring to a swamp or mud hole, it is slue. When it is used as a verb to
describe the removal of a reptile’s skin, or a similar action, it is sluff.

(1) The long i sound with igh:

(^) Note that height and sleight are the only commonly used words that use the ei spelling.
(2) The f sound with augh and ough:
(^) Note that laugh and draught are the only commonly used words that use the au spelling, and draught
has now been largely replaced by draft.
(3) The long u sound with ough—through and slough.
(4) The ow sound with ough:
(^) (5) The oh sound with ough:
(^) (6) The aw sound with ough:
(^) (7) The aw sound with augh:
(^) Note nought or naught. The nought spelling is preferable.
Note also that aught and ought have different meanings.