Vowels (A, E, I, O, U)

Vowels have a short and a long sound.

Short sound
When a one syllable word only has one vowel.
A /æ/ Example: cat /kæt/
E /ɛ/ Example: bed /bɛd/
I /ɪ/ Example: sit /sɪt/
O /ɑ/ Example: top /tɑp/
U /ʌ/ Example: sun /sʌn/

Long sound
When a one syllable word ends with an –e.
When a one syllable word has two vowels.
Remember: only pronounce the first vowel.
A /eɪ/ Example: cake /keɪk/
E /i/ Example: keep /kip/
I /ɑɪ/ Example: bike/bɑɪk/
O /oʊ/ Example: home /hoʊm/
U /yu/ Example: cute /kyut/

Let’s practice! Read the following words.

hat --- hate
plan --- plane
Ben --- bean
pill --- pile
fill --- file
Rod --- road
hop --- hope
cut --- cute