In the following lesson, the 'iou' multigraph will be discussed in terms of its phonetic representations.

Multigraphs are combinations of more than two letters that unite to create a distinct sound in a word.

Multigraph

iou

Name

iou (pronounced /aɪ ˈəʊ ˈjuː/)

Common Sound(s)

/ə/, /ɪə/, /aɪə/

The Multigraph 'iou'

Sound 1: /ə/

The 'iou' multigraph sounds like /ə/ in some words, typically where 'iou' occurs in an unstressed syllable.

Example

gracious /ˈɡɹeɪʃəs/

religious /ɹɪ.ˈlɪdʒ.əs/

spacious /ˈspeɪʃəs/

conscious /ˈkɒn.ʃəs/

Sound 2: /ɪə/

The 'iou' multigraph can represent the /ɪə/ sound, combining a short /ɪ/ and schwa /ə/.

Example

obvious /ˈɒb.vɪəs/

tedious /ˈtiː.dɪəs/

luxurious /lʌɡˈʒʊə.ɹɪəs/

notorious /nə(ʊ)ˈtɔː.ɹɪ.əs/

Sound 3: /aɪə/

The 'iou' multigraph also sounds like /aɪə/, combining the /aɪ/ sound with a schwa /ə/.

Example

pious /ˈpaɪəs/

scious /ˈsaɪəs/

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