Syllables

Front

What is a syllable?

Back

A syllable is a single, unbroken sound of a spoken (or written) word. It usually contains a vowel sound.

Front

What are consonants?

Back

Consonants are letters in the alphabet that are not vowels. Examples include b, d, f, g, and h.

Front

What is an open syllable?

Back

An open syllable ends with a vowel sound and the vowel is usually long. For example, 'pa' in 'paper'.

Front

What is a closed syllable?

Back

A closed syllable ends with a consonant and the vowel is usually short. For example, 'cat'.

Front

How many syllables are in the word 'banana'?

Back

There are three syllables in 'banana': ba-na-na.

Front

What is a vowel?

Back

A vowel is a letter that represents a speech sound made with an open vocal tract. The vowels are a, e, i, o, and u.

Front

Can a syllable have more than one vowel?

Back

Yes, a syllable can have more than one vowel, especially in vowel teams like 'ea' in 'bread'.

Front

What is a vowel team?

Back

A vowel team is two vowels that together make one sound, like 'ai' in 'rain'.

Front

What is a diphthong?

Back

A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another, like 'oi' in 'boil'.

Front

How do you split the word 'sunshine' into syllables?

Back

The word 'sunshine' can be split into two syllables: sun-shine.