The Hard TH Sound

Hard TH and Soft TH

The digraph TH has two sounds: Hard (Voiced) TH and Soft (voiceless) TH. Learning the difference between the hard “th” and soft “th” sounds is an essential part of phonics instruction.

1. Introduce the Two Sounds
   The th digraph can make two different sounds:
   

• Hard “th” /ð/ (voiced/buzzy): This is a voiced sound, meaning your vocal cords do vibrate, like in the word “this” or “that.” You should feel a buzzing or humming sensation in your throat as you push air out between your tongue and teeth.
  
• Soft “th” /θ/ (unvoiced/non-buzzy): This is a voiceless sound, meaning your vocal cords do not vibrate, like in the word “think” or “thumb.” The sound is produced purely by the air being pushed out between your tongue and teeth. It sounds like a gentle hiss.

2. Practice with hard th and soft th words.
   The following diagram shows some examples of words with hard Th and words with soft Th. Scroll down the page for more examples and songs to help you learn how to pronounce words that uses the Th digraph.

 

3. Writing Practice
   Sentence Writing: Have students write their own sentences or short stories using th words.
   Word Tracing: For younger students, give them worksheets where they trace th words to practice writing.

Practice with the following consonant digraph worksheets.

Printable Worksheets (Consonant Digraphs)
Learning "ch"	Learning "sh"
Learning "th"	Learning "qu"
Learning "ng"

4. Songs and Rhymes
   Th Songs: Use songs or create simple rhymes that emphasize the th sound.

Learn about the digraph “th” (hard)
A digraph is when two letter sounds or phonemes combine to make one sound or phoneme.
When the t sound combines with the h sound they create the unique sound of th. Learn about the digraph th as you listen to the th sound in words that begin and end with the th digraph.

• Show Video

Difference between the soft TH sound and the hard TH sound.
Soft TH (voiceless): Place tongue between upper and lower teeth. Blow air through teeth.
Hard TH (voiced): Place tongue behind upper teeth. Blow air and let tongue vibrates. Feel the buzz.

• Show Video

Phonics - Digraph TH
The TH sound can be voiced in 2 different ways.

• Show Video

5. Learn other Consonant Digraphs.

Consonant Digraphs
CH Sound	SH Sound	Soft TH
Hard TH	WH Sound	PH Sound
GH Sound	NG Sound	Consonant Digraphs

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