The TH Sound Has TWO Versions - Are You Using the Wrong One?
Introduction: Why the TH sound is so hard
The TH sound is one of the most common consonants in Australian English pronunciation, and it's also one of the most challenging for non-native speakers to master. It's also one of the most searched topics in Australian English pronunciation, and for good reason.
If you've ever caught yourself saying "fink" instead of "think", or "dis" instead of "this", you're not struggling because of a lack of effort. The reason it's hard is simpler than you might expect: for most languages in the world, this sound doesn't exist. Your tongue has simply never been asked to make this movement before.
At Aussie English with Amanda, this is one of the first sounds we work on with students, because getting it right makes a measurable difference in how clearly you come across in professional conversations.
There are two TH sounds in English
Most learners don't realise this, but the TH sound is actually two separate sounds. Understanding the difference is the key to using each one correctly.
The voiceless TH (/θ/)
What it is: a TH sound produced without using your vocal cords.
Key feature: only air passes through the mouth. There is no vibration.
Where you'll hear it: content words such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
Examples: think, thank, bath, theory, thick, thin, thousand, breath.
The voiced TH (/ð/)
What it is: a TH sound produced with your vocal cords switched on.
Key feature: you'll feel a vibration in your throat when you produce it.
Where you'll hear it: small function words such as articles, pronouns, and conjunctions.
Examples: the, this, that, these, those, they, them, then, than, breathe, father, mother.
Both sounds use the exact same tongue position. The only difference is whether your voice is on or off.
Correct tongue placement for the TH sound
The tongue position is the same for both TH sounds. Follow these three steps.
Step 1: Bring the tip of your tongue between your teeth
The tip of your tongue should come forward until it rests between your top and bottom teeth. You should be able to see the tip of your tongue if you look in a mirror. If you can't see it, push it out a little further.
Step 2: Rest your teeth softly on your tongue
Your teeth should make very light contact with the top surface of your tongue. Think of it like resting a piece of tissue paper between your teeth. If you bite down too hard, you'll block the airflow and produce a T or D sound instead.
A useful way to visualise this: imagine a sandwich with your tongue as the filling and your teeth as the bread. Teeth, tongue, teeth.
Step 3: Let the air flow gently
Breathe out slowly and gently. The air should travel over the top of your tongue and through the small gap between your tongue and your upper teeth. Avoid using too much air pressure or you'll over-pronounce the sound and it will feel unnatural.
When to use each TH sound
A common question is: how do I know which TH to use when I'm speaking? There's a helpful general guideline that works for most situations.
Voiceless TH: content words
The voiceless TH tends to appear in content words. These are words that carry the main meaning of a sentence, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
Nouns: thought, bath, breath, month, path
Verbs: think, throw
Adjectives: thick, thin, thankful, thoughtful
Voiced TH: function words
The voiced TH tends to appear in function words. These are the small grammar words that hold a sentence together.
Articles and demonstratives: the, this, that, these, those
Pronouns and adverbs: they, them, their, then, than
Conjunctions: although, whether
Certain nouns (exceptions): mother, father, brother, other
Keep in mind this is a guideline, not a hard rule. Words like "bathe" and "breathe" are verbs that use the voiced TH, and nouns like "mother" and "father" also use it. But the content word versus function word pattern covers the majority of cases and gives you a solid foundation to work from.
The top 3 mistakes learners make
Mistake 1: The tongue stays behind the teeth
This is the most common error. When the tongue stays inside the mouth rather than coming forward, the result is an S or T sound: "sink" or "tink" instead of "think". The fix is to use a mirror and check that you can see the tip of your tongue every time you produce the sound.
Mistake 2: Using the bottom lip instead of the tongue
Some learners produce the TH by lifting their bottom lip toward their upper teeth instead of moving their tongue. This creates an F or V sound: "fink" instead of "think", or "vey" instead of "they". A practical fix is to gently hold your bottom lip down with a finger while you practise. This removes the option to use the lip and forces your tongue to do the work.
Mistake 3: Biting too hard
If the teeth press down too firmly on the tongue, the airflow is blocked and the sound becomes a T or D. Keep the contact very light. Think of your teeth as barely resting on your tongue, not gripping it.
A simple daily practice plan for TH pronunciation
Consistency is the single most important factor in building any new pronunciation pattern. Three minutes every day is more effective than a long session once a week. This is especially true for TH sound pronunciation, where the goal is building automatic muscle memory.
Days 1 to 3: Practise the tongue position
Stand in front of a mirror. Bring your tongue forward between your teeth and hold the TH sound for five seconds. Repeat ten times. Focus entirely on correct placement, not speed.
Days 4 to 7: Practise individual words
Choose five voiceless TH words and five voiced TH words. Say each one slowly ten times. Prioritise accuracy over fluency.
Week 2 onwards: Practise phrases and sentences
Move into phrases and full sentences. Pay attention to how the TH sound links to the sounds around it, particularly in connected speech where words run together. A great sentence to practise is: "I think this is the thing that bothers them the most." It contains both TH sounds and requires you to switch between them naturally.
FAQ
Are the TH sounds used the same way in all English accents? No. While clear TH sound pronunciation is standard in Australian, British, and American English, some dialects replace them with other sounds in casual conversation.
How long does it take to get the TH sound right? It depends on your starting point and practice consistency. Many learners working with Aussie English with Amanda notice a clear improvement within two to three weeks of daily focused practice, with the sound becoming automatic within one to three months.
Do Australians ever drop the TH sound? Yes, in very fast informal speech, sounds can be reduced or dropped. In professional and workplace settings though, a clear TH pronunciation is the standard — and what you should be aiming for in your accent reduction journey.
Which TH sound should I practise first? Most people find the voiceless TH (think, thank) a little easier to start with. Get the tongue position and airflow right first, then "switch on" your voice to produce the voiced version once you feel confident.
Key takeaways on pronouncing the TH sound
Two distinct sounds: There are two different TH sounds in English — the voiceless /θ/ (as in "think"), which is just air, and the voiced /ð/ (as in "this"), which uses your vocal cords.
Correct tongue placement: For proper TH sound pronunciation, place the tip of your tongue gently between your top and bottom teeth, allowing air to flow smoothly.
Usage guideline: Use the voiceless TH for content words like nouns and verbs, and the voiced TH for smaller grammar or function words like "the", "this", and "they".
Common mistakes to avoid: The most frequent errors are hiding your tongue behind your teeth, using your bottom lip instead of your tongue, or biting down too hard and blocking the airflow.
Consistent practice is key: A short daily practice routine of just a few minutes using a mirror is far more effective for building muscle memory than one long weekly session.
Whether you're working on accent reduction for professional purposes or simply want to sound clearer in everyday conversations, Aussie English with Amanda offers both self-paced and live coaching pathways to help you get there. Download The Australian Pronunciation Playbook as a free starting point, or join the waitlist for the new program launching soon.
