Sound Spellings Example Other

Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
/l/
let
l/ll like
black
ball
circle
double
little
/r/
red
r/rr red
sorry
year
wr write
wrap
wrong
/b/
boy
b/bb back
rabbit
job
In words that end in the letters -mb, the b is silent, and only
the m sound is pronounced (examples include the words climb,
limb and thumb).
/p/
pen
p/pp pet
happy
hope
rope
In words that begin with the letters ps-, the p is silent and only
the s sound is pronounced (examples include the words
psychology, psalm and psychic). This spelling pattern is
uncommon.
/d/
do
d/dd down
ladder
sad
The pronunciation of the -ed ending depends on the final
sound before the suffix.
/t/
top
t/tt take
attach
eat
letter
The pronunciation of the -ed ending depends on the final
sound before the suffix.
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
/!/
go
g/gg girl
begin
egg
j sound (gentle)
When the g spelling is followed by the letters e, i, or y, the j
sound is the most common pronunciation (examples include
the words gentle, giant and gypsy).
-gue intrigue
league
vague
g sound+vowel
sound (guest
The gue spelling is generally only pronounced as a g sound
when it is at the end of a word. In the beginning or middle of a
word, the gue spelling is likely pronounced g sound+vowel
sound (examples include the words guest and guerilla).
(n+)g anger
language
single
ng sound (song
When the ng spelling occurs in the middle of a word, it may be
pronounced as an ng sound followed by a g sound or just an ng
sound (consult your dictionary to be sure which is used for
specific words). At the end of a word, or as part of the -ing
ending, the ng spelling does not typically include a g sound.
/k/
cat
k kid
skin
broke
When the kn spelling occurs at the beginning of a word the k is
silent. (examples include the words know and knee).
ck chicken
black
duck
c cat
focus
lilac
specific
comic
s sound (city)
When the c spelling is followed by the letter e or the letter i,
the s sound is the most common pronunciation (examples
include the words center and city).
ch chorus
choir
chaos
ache
sh sound (chef)
ch sound (chip)
The ch sound, not the k sound or sh sound, is the most
common pronunciation for the ch spelling.
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
qu quit
quiet
squeak
The qu spelling is not pronounced strictly a k sound, but is
rather a k sound followed by a w sound.
-que antique
unique
boutique
k sound+w
sound+vowel
sound (quest)
The que spelling is generally only pronounced as a k sound
when it is at the end of a word; otherwise it is likely
pronounced k sound+w sound+vowel sound (examples include
the words question and banquet).
/!/
voiced th
them
th them
mother
smooth
In general, the voiced th sound occurs in far fewer words than
the unvoiced th. However, the voiced th sound is more
common in function words (such as articles, pronouns, and
demonstratives). For example, the function words the, that,
them, these, they, their (and more), are pronounced with a
voiced th.
/"/
unvoiced th
think
th think
method
bath
In general, the voiced th sound occurs in far fewer words than
the unvoiced th. However, the voiced th sound is more
common in function words (such as articles, pronouns, and
demonstratives). For example, the function words the, that,
them, these, they, their (and more), are pronounced with a
voiced th.
/z/
zoo
z zoo
dozen
quiz
s visit
his
because
s sound (past) as
is
his
those
because
The letter s is more likely to be pronounced as a z sound than
an s sound when it occurs between vowel sounds within a
word. If the letter s is part of a prefix (such as the word
disability), this is less likely to be true. At the end of a word
the letters s or se are equally likely to be pronounced as an s
sound or a z sound. It is important to note the correct
pronunciation at the time of learning new vocabulary with
these spellings.
x exit
example
anxiety
s sound (box)
Students must realize that the letter x can be pronounced as k
sound + s sound or as g sound + z sound. A combination of
syllable stress and surrounding sounds determine the correct
letter x pronunciation.
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
-s/-es boys
cars
finishes
s sound (cats)
Whether the -s/-es suffix is pronounced with a z sound or with
an s sound depends on the final sound before the suffix.
-ise/-ize emphasize
exercise
improvise
-ism tourism
journalism
activism
/s/
so
s/ss so
past
kiss
z sound (visit)
The letter s is more likely to be pronounced as a z sound than
an s sound when it occurs between vowel sounds within a
word. If the letter s is part of a prefix (such as the word
disability), this is less likely to be true. At the end of a word
the letters s or se are equally likely to be pronounced as an s
sound or a z sound. It is important to note the correct
pronunciation at the time of learning new vocabulary with
these spellings.
c(+e) center
licence
bounce
When the c spelling is followed by the letter e or the letter i,
the s sound is the most common pronunciation (examples
include the words center and city).
c(+i) circle
city
medicine
When the c spelling is followed by the letter e or the letter i,
the s sound is the most common pronunciation (examples
include the words center and city).
sc science
muscle
descend
s sound+k
sound (scare)
The sc spelling is most likely to be pronounced as an s sound
when the spelling occurs in the middle of a word. At the
beginning of a word, it is more likely to be pronounced as the s
sound followed by the k sound, as in the words scare and
script.
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
x box
next
oxygen
z sound (exit)
Students must realize that the letter x can be pronounced as k
sound + s sound or as g sound + z sound. A combination of
syllable stress and the surrounding sounds determine the
correct letter x pronunciation.
-s/-es cats
wants
laughs
z sound (boys)
Whether the -s/-es suffix is pronounced with an s sound or
with a z sound depends on the final sound before the suffix.
-ous/-ious cautious
curious
dangerous
/"/
zh sound
usual
-ge beige
garage
massage
j sound (gentle) genre
The ge spelling for the zh sound usually, but not exclusively,
occurs the end of words. Also note that the j sound
pronunciation of the ge (as in the words age and huge) is much
more common than the zh sound.
-sion version
conclusion
decision
sh sound
(passion)
The -sion suffix is only likely to be pronounced with a zh sound
when it is preceded by an r sound or a vowel sound (as in the
words version and invasion). In most other circumstances, the
sh sound is the more likely pronunciation for this suffix.
s+ure leisure
measure
exposure
sh sound
(pressure)
seizure
If the s+ure spelling is preceded by a vowel sound, the word is
likely pronounced with the zh sound. When the letter s is
preceded by a consonant sound or is spelled with two adjacent
letter s's (as in the words pressure and insure), it is usually
pronounced as the sh sound.
s+u+al casual
usual
visual
luxurious
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
/#/
sh sound
she
sh ship
ashame
wish
ch chef
machine
moustache
ch sound (chip)
k sound (chaos)
The ch sound (not the sh sound), is the most common
pronunciation for the ch spelling.
-tion station
solution
intuition
ch sound
(question)
The -tion suffix is only likely to be pronounced with a ch sound
when it is preceded by an s sound (as in the words question
and suggestion). In most other circumstances, the sh sound is
the more likely pronunciation for this suffix.
-sion passion
admission
expansion
zh sound
(vision)
The -sion suffix is only likely to be pronounced with a zh sound
when it is preceded by an r sound or a vowel sound (as in the
words version and vision). In most other circumstances, the sh
sound is the more likely pronunciation for this suffix.
s+ure pressure
assure
insure
zh sound
(closure)
sure
In the s+ure spelling, the letter s is usually only pronounced as
the sh sound when it is preceded by a consonant sound or is
spelled with two adjacent letter s's. If the s+ure spelling is
preceded by a vowel sound, the word is likely pronounced with
a zh sound (as in the word closure).
c+ious/t
+ious
cautious
precious
spacious
ocean
issue
sugar
/v/
very
v/ve very
never
have
When a word ends in a v sound, the letter v is almost always
followed by the letter e
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
/f/
face
f/ff fine
lift
stuff
ph phase
orphan
graph
-gh laugh
enough
cough
/h/
he
h hello
happy
behind
wh who
whole
whose
When the letters wh are followed by the oo sound (such as the
word who) or the long o sound (such as the word whole), the
letters wh are likely to be pronounced as an h sound. When the
letters wh are followed by any other sounds, the wh is likely to
be pronounced as a w sound (examples include the words when
and why).
/$/
j sound
joy
j jump
juice
eject
dg budget
bridge
edge
g(+i) giant
logic
imagine
g sound (girl)
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
g(+e) gentle
agenda
age
g sound (get)
While the g sound is possible for the g+e spelling (as in the
words get, geek, and gear), the j sound is a far more common
pronunciation for this spelling.
d(+u) procedure
educate
schedule
d sound
(reduce)
While the j sound is possible for the d+u spelling, the d sound
is a far more common pronunciation for this spelling (as in the
words industry and reduce). The j sound can be most
anticipated when the vowel sound preceding the d+u is
stressed.
-logy trilogy
apology
mithology
/%/
ch sound
cheese
ch chip
teacher
rich
k sound
(chorus)
sh sound (chef)
cello
tch kitchen
itch
watch
t(+u) virtue
century
spatula
t sound (study)
While the t+u spelling is preceded by the letter s or begins a
stressed (or secondarily stressed) syllable, the t sound is the
more common pronunciation (as in the words study and
solitude)
-(s)tion question
exhaustion
suggestion
sh sound
(station)
The -tion suffix is only likely to be pronounced with a ch sound
when it is preceded by an s sound. In most other
circumstances, the sh sound is the more likely pronunciation
for this suffix (examples include the words station and action).
/m/
me
m/mm made
summer
exam
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
-mn autumn
column
condemn
When the mn spelling occurs at the end of a word it is usually
pronounced as an m sound (the n is silent). If a suffix is added
to the word, however, the n sound may be pronounced. For
instance, the n sound is not pronounced in the words autumn
or column, but is pronounced in the words columnal and
condemnation.
In the middle of a word, the mn is more frequently pronounced
as an m sound followed by an n sound (as in the words chimney
and remnant). Consult a dictionary for the correct
pronunciation of individual words.
-mb climb
limb
dumb
When the mb spelling occurs at the end of a word it is usually
pronounced as an m sound (the b is silent). In the middle of a
word, the mb is more frequently pronounced as an m sound
followed by a b sound (as in the words number and ambition).
Consult a dictionary for the correct pronunciation of individual
words.
/n/
no
n/nn note
banner
twin
kn know
knock
knee
When the kn spelling occurs at the beginning of a word the k is
silent.
gn gnome
sign
campaign
n sound+g
sound (signal)
When the gn spelling occurs at the beginning or end of a word
it is usually pronounced as an n sound. In the middle of a word
it is more likely to be pronounced as a g sound followed by an
n sound (as in the words signal and ignore). Consult a
dictionary for the correct pronunciation of individual words.
/#/
ng sound
sing
ng hung
spring
song
When the ng spelling occurs in the middle of a word, it may be
pronounced as an ng sound followed by a g sound (as in the
words angry or finger. At the end of a word, or as part of the -
ing ending, the pronunciation of this spelling does not typically
include a g sound.
Sound Spellings Example Other
Pronunciation
Non-Phonetic Remarks
n(+k) ankle
link
bank
n(+c) uncle
function
extinct
The letter n in the n(+c) spelling is only pronounced as the ng
sound when the pronunciation of the letter c is pronounced as
a k sound. If the letter c is pronounced as an s sound, the
letter n will be pronounced as an n sound (as in the words
dance and pencil).
/w/
we
w win
sweet
rewind
When the w is followed by an r (as in the words write, wrap,
and wrist) the w+r combination is more likely to be
pronounced as an r sound, not a w sound.
wh when
why
while
what
h sound (who)
The letters wh are more likely to be pronounced as an h sound
when they are followed by the oo sound (such as the word
who) or the long o sound (such as the word whole).
qu quit
quiet
queen
The qu spelling is not strictly a w sound, but is rather a w
sound preceded by a k sound.
one
choir
memoir
The words one and won are homonyms and are pronounced the
same.
/j/
y sound
yes
y yes
you
beyond
long e (happy)
long i (my
short i (myth)
The letter y is often a part of the oi sound when it is spelled oy,
as in the word toy, or part of the long a sound when it is spelled
ay, as in the word day. When it is part of a vowel spelling, the y
sound merges with the vowel sound and is no longer considered
a distinct y sound. Instead, it is a portion of the two-sound
vowel.
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
/e&/
long a
cake
a_e
(VCe)
same
cake
safe
short a (have)
When the ai spelling is followed by the letter r or the consonant of
the a_e spelling is the letter r (as in the words stair and care), the
sound is more likely to be pronounced as the air sound instead of the
long a sound followed by the r sound.
ai rain
paid
faith
When the ai spelling is followed by the letter r or the consonant of
the a_e spelling is the letter r (as in the words stair and care), the
sound is more likely to be pronounced as the air sound instead of the
long a sound followed by the r sound.
ay say
play
way
eigh eight
weigh
sleigh
-a(+te) celebrate
decorate
evaluate
short i
(delicate)
Only verbs using the -ate suffix are pronounced with a long a sound,
otherwise the short i pronunciation is more common (as in the words
delicate and unfortunate).
they
great
break
grey
caf
/i/
long e
keep
ee keep
free
seem
short i (been)
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
ea each
dream
tea
peace
bean
short e (dead)
ie_e piece
grieve
achieve
ie brief
priest
field
long i (pie)
Along with the long e and long i pronunciation, the ie spelling is
occasionally pronounced as two adjacent vowel sounds, such as the
words quiet, alien, and science. Consult a dictionary to be certain of
the pronunciation of unfamiliar words spelled ie.
-y happy
marry
pony
agency
quality
mythology
topography
long i (my)
The consonant+y suffixes are most frequently pronounced with a long
e sound. An exception is the -fy suffix, which is usually pronounced
with a long i sound (as in the words notify and glorify).
-e me
we
she
he
The -e spelling is pronounced as the long e only in single-syllable
words where the e is the final and only vowel in the spelling of the
word.
/'&/
long i
bike
i_e
(VCe)
ice
hide
smile
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
igh light
bright
sigh
ie tie
pie
die
long e (brief)
Along with the long e and long i pronunciation, the ie spelling is
occasionally pronounced as two adjacent vowel sounds, such as the
words quiet, alien, and science. Consult a dictionary to be certain of
the pronunciation of unfamiliar words spelled ie.
-y shy
sky
dry
long e (happy)
-y- cycle
psycho
dynamic
hyper
short i (symbol)
-ize/-ise emphasize
exercise
improvise
-fy clarify
specify
identify
eye
mind
kind
child
buy
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
/o(/
long o
home
o_e
(VCe)
joke
rope
hope
vote
When the common long o spellings are followed by the letter r or the
consonant of the o_e spelling is the letter r (as in the words for, soar
and more), the sound is more likely to be pronounced as the or sound
instead of the long o sound followed by the r sound. If the or spelling
occurs on an unstressed syllable (as in the words honor and factor), a
schwa+r pronunciation is also possible.
oa boat
soap
toast
When the common long o spellings are followed by the letter r or the
consonant of the o_e spelling is the letter r (as in the words for, soar
and more), the sound is more likely to be pronounced as the or sound
instead of the long o sound followed by the r sound. If the or spelling
occurs on an unstressed syllable (as in the words honor and factor), a
schwa+r pronunciation is also possible.
ow snow
own
known
ow sound (cow)
o
(CVC)
most
go
both
short o (box)
aw sound (dog)
When the common long o spellings are followed by the letter r or the
consonant of the o_e spelling is the letter r (as in the words for, soar
and more), the sound is more likely to be pronounced as the or sound
instead of the long o sound followed by the r sound. If the or spelling
occurs on an unstressed syllable (as in the words honor and factor), a
schwa+r pronunciation is also possible.
though
goes
/ju/
long u
cute
u_e
(VCe)
cute
cube
huge
oo sound (rude)
A long u spelling is generally pronounced as a long u (not an oo
sound) sound when it comes after the following consonant sounds:
! m sound
! k sound
! f sound
! b sound
! v sound
! h sound
Following other consonant sounds, these spellings are more likely to
be pronounced as the oo sound.
ue fuel
hue
rescue
oo sound (clue)
The -ue spelling is usually silent when it occurs at the end of a word
and follows the letters g, ng, or q (examples include the words
fatigue, tongue, and unique). An exception is the word argue, which
ends in a long u sound.
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
ew few
pew
skew
OO sound
(chew)
usual
university
beautiful
music
future
human
//
short a
cat
-a-
(CVC)
ask
bath
class
When the consonant following the letter a is the letter r (as in the
words star and car), the sound is usually pronounced as the ar sound
instead of the short a sound followed by the r sound. If the ar
spelling occurs on an unstressed syllable (as in the words dollar and
sugar), a schwa+r pronunciation is also possible.
have
laugh
/)/
short e
bed
-e-
(CVC)
bed
send
yes
When the consonant following the letter e is the letter r (as in the
words her and after), the sound is usually pronounced as the schwa+r
instead of the short e sound followed by the r sound.
ea head
bread
heaven
long e (dream)
said
says
friend
guest
again
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
/&/
short i
sit
-i-
(CVC)
it
lip
spin
When the consonant following the letter i is the letter r (as in the
words stir and girl), the sound is usually pronounced as the schwa+r
instead of the short i sound followed by the r sound.
consonant-
y-
consonant
myth
symbol
system
long i (cycle)
-ate accurate
passionate
unfortunate
long a
(celebrate)
The -ate suffix is pronounced with a short i sound when the word is
being used as a noun or an adjective. When the -ate suffix is being
used as a verb, a long a pronunciation is more common (as in the
words celebrate and evaluate).
-ive active
excessive
alternative
-ed landed
skated
celebrated
no vowel
The vowel sound of the -ed ending is pronounced with a short i sound
when the sound before the -ed is a t sound or a d sound.
been
give
busy
building
/'/
short o
top
-o-
(CVC)
odd
box
shock
long o (most)
aw sound (dog)
When the consonant following the letter o is the letter r (as in the
words for and order), the sound is usually pronounced as the or
sound instead of the short o sound followed by the r sound. If the or
spelling occurs on an unstressed syllable (as in the words honor and
doctor), a schwa+r pronunciation is also possible.
father
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
/*/
short u
sun
-u-
(CVC)
us
duck
just
other u (put)
When the consonant following the letter u is the letter r (as in the
words blur and fur), the sound is usually pronounced as the schwa+r
instead of the short u sound followed by the r sound.
won/one
done
none
from
come
enough
mother
brother
The words one and won are homonyms and are pronounced the same.
/(/
other u
put
oo good
look
book
oo sound (soon)
-u-
(CVC)
put
full
sugar
short u (just)
When the consonant following the letter u is the letter r (as in the
words blur and fur), the sound is usually pronounced as the schwa+r
instead of the other u sound followed by the r sound.
-ure pure
cure
insure
schwa+r
(nature)
The ure spelling is only common when it occurs are the end of a word
on a stressed syllable. On an unstressed syllable, the schwa+r
pronunciation is more common (as in the words closure and
adventure).
could
should
would
woman
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
/u/
oo
sound
soon
oo soon
food
school
other u (good)
u_e
(VCe)
rude
intrude
salute
long u (cute)
-ue clue
true
glue
long u (fuel)
The -ue spelling is silent when it occurs at the end of a word and
follows the letters g, ng, or q (examples include the words fatigue,
tongue, and unique). An exception is the word argue, which ends in a
long u sound.
ew drew
chew
flew
long u (few)
through
two
who
do
move
fruit
shoe
movie
/+/
aw
sound
dog
aw law
awful
drawn
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
-o-
(CVC)
dog
lost
soft
short o (top)
long o (most)
When the consonant following the letter o is the letter r (as in the
words for and order), the sound is usually pronounced as the or
sound. If the or spelling occurs on an unstressed syllable (as in the
words honor and factor), a schwa+r pronunciation is also possible.
au caution
haunt
author
augh(+t) caught
daughter
taught
ough(+t) brought
thought
fought
The ough spelling is pronounced with the aw sound when it is
followed by the letter t. There are no pronunciation patterns when
ough occurs at the end of a word. For example, the words enough,
through, and though each have different pronunciations for the ough
spelling.
(w+)a want
wash
watch
The letter a is often pronounced as the aw sound when it occurs
between the letter w and a consonant. Exceptions to this pattern
include the words wax, waste, and wagon.
gone
talk
walk
almost
/+&/
oi
sound
join
oi oil
voice
point
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
oy boy
joy
loyal
lawyer
The word lawyer can be pronounced with either the oi sound or the aw
sound followed by a y sound.
/a(/
ow
sound
down
ow cow
brown
owl
long o (snow)
ou mouse
count
out
/,/
schwa
+r
her
er her
verb
after
Because the schwa+r has no discernible vowel sound, it is considered a
syllabic consonant. Syllabic consonants include a vowel in the spelling,
even though that vowel is not pronounced. When learning about r-
controlled vowels, syllable stress is important because any unstressed
syllable containing an r may be pronounced as schwa+r, no matter
which vowel is included in the spelling.
ir girl
birth
stir
ur burn
purple
occur
ear learn
pearl
heard
long e+r sound
(hear)
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
(w+)or word
work
world
vowel+r
(unstressed
syllable)
doctor
forget
dollar
Schwa+r is a likely pronunciation for any vowel+r spelling that occurs
adjacent to a stressed syllable.
-er teacher
faster
smaller
were
/'r/
ar
sound
car
ar arm
start
car
are
/+r/
or
sound
more
or corn
north
short
When the or spelling follows a w, schwa+r is a more likely
pronunciation (examples include the words work, world and word).
-ore more
store
before
oar board
roar
soar
Sound Spellings Example Other Pronunciation Non-Phonetic Remarks
(w+)ar warm
warning
award
-ory category
dormitory
territory
four
floor
door
/)r/
air
sound
chair
air chair
pair
stair
-are dare
rare
scare
-ary contrary
primary
dictionary
there/their/theyre
where
stereo
terrible