How to Pronounce TH in a British Accent: A Clear Guide
There’s no such thing as one “British accent.” The UK is home to a huge variety of accents, each with its own unique way of pronouncing sounds.
In this guide, we’ll focus on Standard Southern British English—a variant of Received Pronunciation (RP). This is the accent you’ll see represented in Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries and is often described as “neutral” British English.
Whether you’re learning English or working to refine your pronunciation, this post will help you master TH sounds in this accent.
Understanding the British TH Sound
There are two common ways speakers of Standard Southern British English position their tongue for TH sounds:
The tip of the tongue rests gently between the upper and lower front teeth.
Or, the tip of the tongue touches just behind the upper front teeth.
The first method—tongue lightly between the teeth—is often easier for learners because it makes the sound clearer. But whichever you choose, the key is lightness. Pressing too hard will block the airflow and distort the sound.
Voiced vs Voiceless TH Sounds
In British English, there are two types of TH sounds:
Voiceless TH (θ)
This sound is made only with air. Try saying “thing” or “Thursday.” It’s soft and hiss-like.
Voiced TH (ð)
This sound is made with vibration in your vocal folds. Try saying “this” or “there” while gently touching your throat. You’ll feel a slight buzz.
Quick tip: Place your fingers on your throat and compare these pairs:
S (air only) vs Z (buzzing)
P (air only) vs B (buzzing)
This will help you distinguish voiced and voiceless sounds.
Common TH Pronunciation Pitfalls
Many English learners replace TH sounds with other sounds:
Saying “fink” instead of “think” (TH → F)
Saying “dis” instead of “this” (TH → D)
These are great alternatives but they aren’t used in Standard Southern British English. In this accent the tongue must either:
Rest lightly between the teeth (best for clarity)
Or touch just behind the top teeth (more subtle)
Practice Words
If you’d like to hear these words and sentences to help you practice, they are in a short video below.
Voiceless TH (θ):
thing, Thursday, thanks, maths, both, eighth
Voiced TH (ð):
this, that, there, these, those, gather, breathe
Practice Sentences
Listen and repeat for clarity and flow:
Putting on her thimble, Beth threaded the needle.
Keith was a thick-set man with thinning hair and crooked teeth.
Both Ruth and Garth sat beneath the shelter as the snow thawed.
TIP: Slow down and exaggerate the tongue position at first. As you get comfortable, speed up naturally.
Why Dictionaries Matter for TH Sounds
When in doubt, check a dictionary with phonetic transcriptions:
/θ/ = voiceless TH (e.g., think)
/ð/ = voiced TH (e.g., this)
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries and Cambridge Dictionaries Online both show these symbols.
Want to Master Every British English Sound?
If you’re serious about refining your pronunciation, my comprehensive ebook “British English Pronunciation Roadmap” is a great place to start. It covers every sound in Standard Southern British English and comes with 12 hours of audio for practice.
Discover the ebook here
FAQs
Why is TH hard for English learners?
TH isn’t common in many languages, so learners often substitute it with F, D, or S sounds. The key is learning correct tongue placement and airflow.
Do all British accents pronounce TH the same way?
No. In some regional British accents, TH is often replaced with F, V, T and D sounds. This guide focuses on Standard Southern British English.
Should I stick my tongue out for TH?
Only slightly—just enough for the air to flow freely. Over-exaggerating looks unnatural.
Final Thoughts: Mastering TH in a British Accent
Keep the tongue light and relaxed.
Practise both voiced and voiceless TH sounds.
Use repetition and check your progress by recording yourself.
Don’t rush—fluency comes with time and consistency.
If you need help knowing whether you’re getting it right or not get some coaching with Ashley.
Ashley Howard is a UK-based voice coach with 18+ years of experience helping professionals and individuals develop clear, authentic, and confident communication.