What are Vowels?

In the English language, the vowels are A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y. Consonants are all the other letters of the alphabet. Vowels are aspirated differently than consonants. A consonant is spoken and has more airflow than a vowel. A vowel is almost whispered because it requires less airflow. Vowels are sometimes referred to as open sounds because the airflow to make vowel sounds is unobstructed. Consonants have more of a closed sound or obstructed airflow when they are enunciated.

For example, the first half of the word airplane has two vowels. As soon as the speaker says the second half of the word, plane they must push their lips together to make the “p” sound. Also, with the word book an individual must restrict their airflow to make the “b” sound. Next, they must allow their airflow to be uninterrupted to make the vowel sound “oo”. Lastly, they must have a restricted airflow closer to the trachea to make the “k” sound.

What is a Long Vowel Sound?

There are long and short vowel sounds. The long sound is made by pronouncing the letter’s name as it sounds when reciting the alphabet. The short sound is made by pronouncing the sound of the letter. For example:

• In the word dangerous, the long vowel sound “a” is pronounced like the name of the letter “a”.
• In the word Eden, the long vowel sound of the letter “e” is pronounced by the first “e” in the word. The short vowel sound of “e” can be found in the second syllable.
• In the word I, the letter is pronounced like the long vowel sound of “I.”
• In the word opinion, the long vowel sound of the “o” is pronounced with the first “o”.
• In the word Uganda, the long sound of the letter u is pronounced.
• In the word underground, the short sound of the vowel “u” is used in the first “u” found in the word.

Ways to Form Long Vowel Sounds

The first way to form a long vowel sound is when there is a vowel and the end of a word. Some examples of the long vowel sound are how the letter “e” is pronounced in the words he, be, we, and she. The letter “e” is pronounced at the end of each of these examples, as though reciting the name of the letter in the alphabet.

The second way to pronounce a long vowel is by the silent “e” making the previous vowel sound long. For example, in the words case, cage and cane, the silent “e” makes the previous vowel sounds long. In these words, the “a” vowels are pronounced like the letter’s name is pronounced, not like the sound of the letter. Some other great examples are the words blame, close and bride. In blame the silent “e” makes the first “a” sound like the name of the letter “a”. In the word close, the silent “e” makes the letter “o” sound like the name of the letter “o”. In the word bride, the silent “e” makes the letter “i” sound like the name of the letter “i”.

The third way to make a long vowel sound involves two consecutive vowels. The words seen and seek are great examples of this. The two consecutive letters “e” are pronounced like one letter “e.”

The fourth way to create a long vowel sound involves the letters “i” or “o” preceding two consonants. Two examples of this are the words post and bold. In these words, the two consonants following the letter “o” create the long “o” sound. In the words grind and wind the long vowel sound of the letter “i” is produced by the two consonants following the letter.

List of Words with Long Vowel Sounds

Some examples of long vowel sound words with the letter “a” are lake, bake, snake, and cake. In each of these, the letter “a” sounds like the name of the letter itself. Some examples of the long vowel sound with the letter “e” are the words email, sneakers, and believe. In the pronunciation of email, the first letter is emphasized and it sounds like the name of the letter. In the words sneakers and believe, the first “e” in the word sounds like the name of the letter.

The word January has a long vowel sound with the letter u and a short vowel sound with the letter a

What is a Short Vowel Sound?

A short vowel sound is the vowel pronunciation that is the sound of the letter, rather than the name of the vowel in the alphabet. Some examples of short vowel sounds can be heard in the following words: mad, sell, pen, ten, step, nest, van, gas, man, and fan. These words produce the short vowel sounds of “a” or “e” when pronounced.

Some additional examples of words with short vowel sounds are bird, stats, and bond. The “i” in bird produces a short vowel sound. The “a” in stats produces a short vowel sound. The “o” in bond produces a short vowel sound. Some examples of short vowel sounds can also be found with the letter “e” in been, and intend. In both words the “e” functions as a sound and not a pronounced letter. An example of a short vowel sound with the letter “u” can be heard in the words under and bunk. In both under and bunk the “u” is not pronounced like the name of the letter “u.”

List of Words with Short Vowel Sounds

Every vowel in the word panic is a short vowel sound; both the vowel a, and the vowel i

Long vs. Short Vowels

Long vowel sounds and short vowel sounds can be used in a variety of situations. In some instances, verb tense can determine which vowel sound is correct. For example, an individual might ask another individual “Did you read the book?” The other individual might reply with “Yes, I read the book.” In the first sentence, the word read is present tense and produces a long vowel sound. In the second sentence, the word read is past tense and produces a short vowel sound.

Using Long and Short Vowels Together

Many words use both long and short vowel sounds together. An example of this can be shown in the words belong and eternal. In the word belong, the first “e,” has a long vowel sound. There is a short vowel sound with the “o,” in the second part of the word. In the word eternal, the first “e” is a long vowel sound. The second “e” and the “a” are short vowel sounds.

Example Sentences

The following sentences contain examples of both long and short vowel sounds:

Example One: I think we can go to the grocery store now.

Explanation: Long vowel sound in the word I; short vowel sound for “I” in think; long vowel sound for “e” in we; short vowel sound for “a” in can; long vowel sound for “o” in go; long vowel sound for “e in the; long vowel sound for “o” and short vowel sound for “e” in grocery; long vowel sound for “o” in store; and short vowel sound for “o” in now.

Example Two: I am going to Sedona.

Explanation: Long vowel sound in the word I; short vowel sound for “a” in am; long vowel sound for “o” and short vowel sound for “i” in going; short vowel sound for “e” and “a” as well as the long vowel sound for “o” in Sedona.”

Lesson Summary

There are short and long vowel sounds with the letters A, E, I, O, and U, in the alphabet. Long vowel sounds are made by pronouncing the name of the letter of the alphabet. Short vowel sounds are made by pronouncing the sound of the letter. Sometimes the tense of the verb will affect whether a word is pronounced with a short or long vowel sound. Vowel sounds are made by allowing maximum airflow through the trachea and making various shapes with one’s mouth. Consonant sounds are made by restricting the airflow pursing and moving the lips together in various ways.