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Why "often" sounds different in British English
The main British pronunciation is /ˈɒfn/, with the short rounded /ɒ/ of "hot" and a silent T, just like "soften" and "listen". American English uses a longer, more open vowel, /ˈɔːfn/ or /ˈɑːfn/.
The T-version, /ˈɒftən/, is a spelling pronunciation: the T fell silent centuries ago, but many speakers now say it because of the spelling. It is widespread in the UK and accepted, though "OFF-uhn" remains the more traditional standard. Very old-fashioned upper-class speech said "orfen" with a long vowel, which now sounds like a period drama. Whichever you choose, keep the first vowel short.
How to say "often" like a Brit, step by step
- Round your lips slightly and say a short o, as in "hot": off.
- Keep it short. Don't stretch it into "awf" or "ahf".
- Move straight from the f to a soft n, with almost no vowel between them.
- Stress the first syllable: OFF-n. Add a T only if you prefer "OFF-tuhn".
Practise "often" in a sentence
- How often do the trains run on Sundays?
- We often pop round to my nan's for tea.
- It doesn't often snow in London.
Saying it once correctly is easy. Saying it right in the middle of a fast sentence is the hard part, which is why the sentences above matter more than the single word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce often in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, often is pronounced /ˈɒfn/ or /ˈɒftən/, roughly "OFF-uhn". Say OFF-uhn with a short rounded O; the T is traditionally silent, though OFF-tuhn is also common.
Is the American pronunciation of often wrong?
No. /ˈɔːfn/ or /ˈɑːfn/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /ˈɒfn/ or /ˈɒftən/.
Is the T in often silent in British English?
Traditionally, yes: OFF-uhn, like soften. Many British speakers do pronounce the T, and dictionaries accept both, but the silent T is the classic standard pronunciation.