How to Pronounce cot vs caught
Key Pronunciation Contrast
In British and non-merged US dialects, ‘cot’ has the short open ⁄ɒ⁄ or ⁄ɑː⁄, while ‘caught’ has the rounded back vowel ⁄ɔː⁄.
Contrast: Open unrounded ⁄ɑː⁄ vs rounded back ⁄ɔː⁄ (cot-caught distinction)
cot
⁄kɒt⁄
COT
A simple bed, especially one for portable or temporary purposes.
caught
⁄kɔːt⁄
CAUGHT
Of the method of being out in which the striker hits the ball and a fielder catches it.
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80 total video examplesFrequently Asked Questions: cot vs caught
What is the difference in pronunciation between "cot" and "caught"?
In British and non-merged US dialects, ‘cot’ has the short open ⁄ɒ⁄ or ⁄ɑː⁄, while ‘caught’ has the rounded back vowel ⁄ɔː⁄.
Where does the syllable stress fall in "cot" vs "caught"?
"cot" has 1 syllable(s) (cot) with stress on "COT". "caught" has 1 syllable(s) (caught) with stress on "CAUGHT".
Why do English learners often confuse "cot" and "caught"?
Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: Open unrounded ⁄ɑː⁄ vs rounded back ⁄ɔː⁄ (cot-caught distinction). In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.
What are example sentences for "cot" and "caught"?
Example for "cot": "There was a flickering of lanterns about the camp that night, and a rumor that brought men out of their cots to the tent doors, a paddling of the naked feet of doolie-bearers and the rush of a galloping horse." Example for "caught": "caught giving people, you know, just really that are part of the way that, you know, the the parameters were"