Syllable Types and Rules

Vocabulary practice covering the seven syllable types, their rules, auditory properties, and word division examples.

Syllable

A unit of pronunciation that must contain a vowel and can consist of 1 or more letters.

Closed Syllable (cl)

A syllable with 1 vowel followed by 1 or more consonants, resulting in a short vowel sound (Example: rab/bit, $v c / c v$).

Open Syllable (op)

A syllable that ends in a vowel, resulting in a long vowel sound (Example: mu/sic, $v / c v$).

VCe (silent -e)

A syllable pattern featuring a vowel-consonant-silent-e (VCe) that produces a long vowel sound (Example: tad/pole, $v c / c v$).

R-Controlled (bossy r)

A syllable where a vowel is followed by an r, which influences the sound of the vowel; includes patterns like ar, or, er, ir, and ur (Example: cor/ner, $v / c v$).

Vowel Teams (common)

Two vowels making 1 sound, which is usually a long vowel sound; includes pairs like ai/ay, ee/ea, igh/ie, ue/ew, oo, and oa/ow (Example: steam/boat, $v / c v$).

Vowel Teams (uncommon & diphthongs)

Two vowels together that make a new sound; includes pairs like oi/oy, ou/ow, and au/aw (Example: laun/dry, $v c / c c v$).

Consonant -le

A syllable type that ends with a consonant + le and sounds like /ul/ (Example: tur/tle, $v / c v$).

Consonant -le Rule

A rule used for syllable division where you count back 3 letters from the end of the word.

Syllable Type Examples (Candy)

Proper nouns and items used for examples or categorization including KitKat, Rolo, LifeSavers, Mounds, Reese ’ s, Butterfinger, and Ski les.