GT Solutions
Advertisement
Sound guides / TH
The TH sounds (think, this)
Two sounds: a voiceless TH in think and a voiced TH in this. Both are made with the tongue between or just behind the teeth.
Why this sound matters
Many languages have no TH, so speakers swap in T, D, S, Z or F. Listeners usually still understand, but frequent swaps can make speech harder to follow.
Step 1: Find the position
- Rest the tip of your tongue lightly against or just behind your top front teeth.
- Push air gently through the gap. Don't press hard or bite down.
- For think: air only, no voice. Put a hand on your throat: no buzz.
- For this: same position, add voice. You should feel a buzz.
Step 2: Fix common mistakes
Saying 'tink' or 'dis'
The tongue stops the air completely. Keep a small gap so air can flow.
Saying 'sink' or 'zis'
The tongue is behind the teeth ridge. Move it forward to touch the teeth.
Saying 'fink'
The lip is touching the teeth. Keep the lips relaxed and use the tongue.
Step 3: Practise words
Say each word slowly three times, then at normal speed. Record one round and listen back.
Beginning
- think
- thank
- three
- this
- they
- those
Middle
- nothing
- author
- method
- mother
- other
- weather
End / key words
- month
- health
- both
- smooth
- breathe
- with
Step 4: Hear the difference
These pairs differ by one sound. Say them side by side so the difference is clear to a listener.
tankthank
sinkthink
darethere
freethree
Step 5: Use it in sentences
Read each sentence aloud twice. Record the second time and check the target sound in every word.
- I think there are three things to thank them for.
- Both of them gathered the data this month.
- Their method is worth thinking through.
Keep practising
Short daily practice works better than one long session. Spend 5 minutes on this guide each day for a week.
More sound guides
Educational speaking practice, not speech therapy. For ongoing concerns, talk to a qualified speech-language professional.