iou In American English

English Multigraph 'iou'

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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