The letter ‘o’ in ‘gross’ is not pronounced like that in ‘loss’

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

If you are learning English, you might wonder why words that look similar don’t always sound the same. One example is the words “gross” and “loss.” They both have the letter “o,” but the way we pronounce it is different.

The pronunciation of the letter “o”

In English, the letter “o” can make different sounds. Here are two examples:

• In “gross,” the “o” sounds like /əʊ/, similar to the sound in “go” or “no.”
• In “loss,” the “o” sounds like /ɒ/, like in “hot” or “not.”

So, in these two words, the same letter is pronounced differently, but why?

English pronunciation is not always consistent

One reason is that English is a mix of different languages, like Latin, German, and French. This mixing causes some words to be pronounced in various ways, even if they look similar.

For example, “gross” comes from a French word meaning “large” or “whole.” In French, the “o” often sounds like /əʊ/ or a long “o” sound. Over time, this sound stayed the same in English. That’s why we say “gross” with a long “o.”

On the other hand, “loss” comes from old English, where the “o” was pronounced more like /ɒ/, a short sound. This pronunciation stayed the same, so we say “loss” with a short “o.”

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Tips to remember

1. Learn word by word: English has many exceptions, so it’s helpful to remember how each word is pronounced. This comes with practice.
2. Pay attention to word origin: Sometimes, understanding where a word comes from can help you understand why it’s pronounced a certain way. For example, words from French may have a different sound compared to words from old English.
3. Listen to native speakers: Hearing how native speakers say words can help you pick up the right pronunciation. You’ll notice that some words that look similar are said differently.

Other examples with ‘gross’ and ‘loss’

Here are a few more examples where the letter “o” is pronounced differently in different words:

• “Boss” (short /ɒ/ like in “loss”)
• “Moss” (also short /ɒ/ like in “loss”)
• “Post” (long /əʊ/ like in “gross”)
• “Most” (long /əʊ/ like in “gross”)

In English, the same letters don’t always make the same sounds, like the “o” in “gross” and “loss.” This can feel not very clear, but with practice and careful listening, you’ll get used to these patterns. Don’t be discouraged if it takes time—English is full of little quirks like this, and every learner experiences these challenges!