Vowels in English are divided into monophthong, diphthong or triphthong. These are sounds that consist of 1, 2, 3 parts. Vowels are also divided into short and long sounding. They are designated like this: [i:], [ɔ:].

They are also divided into articulatory. So vowels are front-lingual, middle-lingual, back-lingual, closed, open, semi-open. Accordingly, their names speak directly about the position of the lips and tongue during pronunciation.

For example, anterior- sounds are formed through the front of the tongue, etc.

Transcription icons and their pronunciation

Pronunciation of all vowels

It can be understood from the following examples:

[i:] - the sound is similar to our "and" in the word "hurry", etc. Pronounced confidently and for a long time.

[ i ] - the sound is similar to our "and" in the word "at". It's short, not drawn out.

[ei] - the sound is similar to our "e" in the word "tin". Pronounced for a long time.

[æ] - a sound similar to the previous one. It is also pronounced for a long time, but with a mouth that is wide open.

[a:] - the sound is similar to our "a" in the word "beam" in the first case.

[ ɔ ] - the sound is similar to our "o" in the word "difficult". Pronounced briefly.

[ɔ:] - the sound is similar to our "o" in the word "school". Pronounced with a wide open mouth.

[ u ] - the sound is similar to our "u" in the word "ear". Pronounced briefly.

[u:] - a sound similar to the previous one. In the word "rooster" you can see exactly how it is pronounced.

[Λ] - the sound is similar to our "o" and "a" in the words "your", "gardens". Always stands in words with an accent.

[ ə ] - the sound is similar to our "ё" and "o" together in the word "iodine".

[iə] - the sound is similar to our "and" and "e", sounding together.

[ ai ] - the sound is similar to our "ai".

[ aiə ] - the sound is similar to our "ai", pronounced for a long time.

Consonants in English

Subdivided:

• on bowed and slit;
• on the lips, teeth;
• anterior lingual, middle lingual, posterior lingual.

Also, consonants are voiced and deaf.

The last deaf consonants are characterized by powerful articulation, a significant decrease in articulation is characteristic of a sonorous consonant.

Basic types of vowel reading

1. All vowels are read as they are usually read in the alphabet. Examples: stake, state, cake.
2. All vowels are short. You can read about short sounds above.. Examples: tree, me, be.
3. All vowels are long. You can read about long sounds above. Examples: my, style, why.
4. All vowels can be doubled in pronunciation. Examples: tune, Tuesday, music.

Basic rules for reading in English

Reading vowels

Most sounds can be found in six vowels. These are the main rules English reading. So, depending on the location, combination with other letters and stress, the reading of vowels in a particular word depends.

The vowel "A" is divided into sounds:

• [ei] - words pan, flat. The sound is read here through our letter "e";
• [æ] - the word take. Our sound "e" is read here in short form.
• [a:] - the word far. Our sound “a” is read here in short form.

The vowel "E" is divided into sounds:

• [i] - words meat. The sound "and" is read briefly.
• [e] - the word met. It reads like a short "e".
• [ə] - the word very. It reads like a long "e".
• [iə] - words here, near. A long "and" and "a" are read together

The vowel I is subdivided into sounds:

• [ai], [i], [ə] in the corresponding words mine, in, stir, fire

The vowel O is subdivided into sounds:

• , [O], , [ə], in the corresponding words refuse, but, fur, lure.

The vowel Y is subdivided into sounds:

• , [i], [ ə: ], in the corresponding words type, gym, myrtle, tire.

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Reading consonants in English

Features of reading some consonants

There are features in reading the four consonants:

• "c" (=k=ck) [k],
• "qu",
• "j"
• "X" .

All these sounds have several reading options depending on the location and combination with other letters.

• The consonant "s" is read as our "k" sound and as our "s". In normal cases, "s" should be read as "k", but if they stand after the consonant "e", "i", "y", then "s" is read like the Russian "s" in the words "sit".

For example, the words ice, cinema, cycle are read this way.

• The consonant "g" is usually read as our "ji" sound or as a "g" sound. It is usually customary to read the sound "g", but if they stand after the consonant "e", "i", "y", then "g" is read as "ji".

For example, the words age, gigantic, fridge, inginear are read this way. Special cases of pronunciation are remembered when studying the alphabet.

• The consonant with the double form "s" is read as our sound "ks" after "e", "i", "y". But it should be remembered that the doubled form in consonants is not readable, only one letter is read.
• The consonant "s" is read as our sound "s" and as the sound "z" depending on the voice. Vowels give voice.

In addition to these consonant features, others do not.

All other sixteen are read as spelled out.

• Consonant B reads like our "b". Examples: big, better, bet, biten, brother.
• The consonant D is read like our "d". Examples: door, ded, dog, middle, red.
• Consonant F reads like our "f". Examples: foot, friend, false.
• The consonant G is read as our "g". Examples: get, egg, giggle, google, gazer.
• Consonant H reads like our "x". Examples: him, help, hill, hot.
• The consonant K is read like our "k". Examples: kiss, desk, kitten, kitchen.
• Consonant L reads like our "l". Examples: live, leave, loosen, lost, little.
• The consonant M is read like our "m." Examples: milk, moon, simple, from.
• Consonant N reads like our "n". Examples: note, not, near, nonsense, on.
• The consonant P is read like our "p". Examples: put, plump, pop, stop.
• Consonant R reads like our "r". Examples: rest, roof, berry, bread, rock.
• The consonant S is read like our "s". Examples: sit, west, miss, stress, soul.
• Consonant T reads like our "t". Examples: ten, title, test, true, tree.
• The consonant V is read as our "in". Examples: very, seven, give, vivid.
• Consonant W reads like our "in". Examples: well, twelve, swim, winter.
• The consonant Z is read like our "z". Examples: zip, drizzle, fiz, zigzag, zoom.

Silent consonants

Basic Rules.

• In the letters “g”, “k”, you should not read “n” at the beginning and at the end of the word.

Examples: gnat, foreign, knee, knaif, campaign.

• In the letters "b", "n" should not be read after the "m" at the end of the word.

Examples: bomb, autumn, thumb, column.

• The letter “p” should not be read in combinations “pn”, “ps”.

Examples: pneumatic, psychology.

• Do not read the letter "w" before "r".

Examples: wrap, wrong.

To learn English, namely to be able to apply it in life, and in addition to achieve such a speech that will be understandable to foreigners, you need to know how to pronounce a particular word.

1. Books and manuals for learning English. But not those that say “English in three days” or “English in a few months”, because, of course, it is impossible to learn and be able to apply the language in life in such a short time.
2. Audio and video for learning English. By listening to English speech and music more, you can quickly achieve the desired result, even in a short time. In addition, pronunciation will improve and foreigners will treat a person as if they are talking to a person from the same country.
3. Teacher or tutor. It is desirable that the person has studied abroad or has been abroad for several years.
4. foreigners. Experience in correct pronunciation and reading is acquired directly with practice.

Knowledge of the English language has already become the norm and a common thing in society, but those who are just starting to learn it face many questions, including the correct pronunciation of not only words, but even letters. They, by the way, in English language 26. There are much more sounds - to immediately understand how each of the letters is read is sometimes beyond the power of even native speakers. It is the peculiarities of the pronunciation of letters that make English difficult to learn and understand. But with effort, you can always achieve good results.

Independent study of the English language and the rules of reading in it requires a lot of self-discipline. Only by making maximum efforts, you can achieve results - you need to train in reading daily, devoting at least half an hour to this. It's better than going back to school once or twice a week.

Rules for reading letters in English

There are a number of rules in the English language, without knowledge of which the development of literate reading is impossible. Recall that there are as many as 44 sounds in English - this means that one letter can be read in different ways, depending on where it stands and what it is surrounded by.

Reading consonants

Pronunciation a large number English consonants is not difficult, because they are read the same way as Russian ones. These letters arem, n, l, b, f and zand others. Consonantst and dcan also be attributed to this group, but with a slight clarification - they should be pronounced with some aspiration:dentist, door, tape, talk.

With the rest of the letters you need to master simple rules, without which it will be difficult to navigate in the correct pronunciation:

Letter c has two types of pronunciation. If it comes before vowels likei, e and y, then it is read as the letter [s]: city, quote, spice, ice.

Otherwise, before vowelsa, about, uand other consonants, it will be read as [k]: comfort, confusion, dictionary, clean.

with a letter gthe situation is the same - in combination with lettersi, e and yit reads like [dʒ]: gymnastics, Georgia, general, age. But there are exception words here, the pronunciation of which must be remembered: inget, give, forget, begin, girlthe consonant reads like [g]. Before vowelsa, about , uand other consonants, the letter is pronounced like [g]: good, gold, galaxy, glad

Letter qin combination with vowels occurs only in the formqu and reads like [ kw]: quality, queen, quake equipment.

Letter pronunciationjeasy to remember: in all cases it is read as [dʒ]: June, jacket, jungle, jet.

Letter s reads like [ s] in those cases when it is at the beginning of a word, in the middle before voiceless consonants and at the end after voiceless consonants:song, hipster, desk, mess. The letter has a second reading option - [z]. It is used in cases where the letter is after or between vowels, as well as after voiced consonants:race, use, beds, is.

At xalso has its own peculiarities of pronunciation. In some cases, this letter will be read as [ks] - when it is at the end of a word, before a consonant or unstressed vowel:Fox, text, next, six. The letter can also be read as [gz], if it comes before a stressed vowel:exotic, exams, example.

Consonant combinations in English

Sometimes adjacent consonant letters give rise to a new sound, not similar to those given by these letters separately. Here are some examples:

ch - [ tʃ]: church, match, champion;

ck- [ k]: back, clock, black;

gh- [-] (no sound):night, right, light;

kn- [ n]: knife, knock, knot;

ng- [ ŋ ]: sing, thing, ring;

nk- [ Lk]: prank, funk, drunk;

ph- [ f]: pharaoh, photographer, physics;

sh- [ ʃ ]: shine, shapes, show;

tch- [ tʃ]: match, watch, stretch;

th- [ θ ] (at the beginning and end of significant words):teeth, thin, think;

th- [ ð ] (between vowels and at the beginning of function words):with, they, father;

wh- [ w] (with vowels excepto): why, when, white;

wh- [ h] (with a vowel o): whose, who, whom;

wr- [ r]: wreck, wrong, wrath.

Reading vowels

Depending on how the word ends, the vowels will have different types reading. There are only four of them - they are all for English vowels in stressed syllables.

open syllable . Such a syllable is called one that ends in a vowel, including in cases where it is not pronounced:

A [ ei] - fame;

O [ ou] - smoke;

E[ i:] - me;

I[ ai] - five;

Y[ ai] - try;

U[ ju:] - tube.

All the words given in the examples end in a silent vowel, and the pronunciation of vowels at the root is the same as in the alphabet.

Closed syllable . It ends in a consonant:

A [ uh] - Mad;

O [ o] - sports;

E[ e] - September;

I[ i] - flip;

Y[ i] - rhythm;

U[ a] - fun.

Vowel + “r” . This consonant affects the sound of the vowel that stands at the root - it gives its sound a length:

A [ a:] - far;

O [ o:] - sort;

E[ e:] - term;

I[ e:] - fir;

Y[ e:] - Byrd;

U[ e:] - turn.

Vowel + “r” + vowel . The consonant, as in the above case, is not read. It only gives firmness to the vowel that follows it:

A [ ea] - care;

O [ o:] - more;

E[ ie] - where;

I[ aie] - fire;

Y[ aie] - tire;

U[ jue] - cure.

Reading diphthongs

Diphthongs are sounds that consist of two vowels. To pronounce a diphthong, the tongue must first move into position for the first of two vowels and then move into position for the second vowel. The first sound is always stronger and more distinct than the second. All these movements must be performed within one syllable. Reading these sounds is quite difficult and is not immediately given to those people who have just begun to learn English:

[ ee] - and - free;

[ ea] - and - tear;

[ oo] - y - soon;

[ all] - ol - wall;

[ ay] - hey - day;

[ oi] - oh - joint.

What to look for when reading

Accent

Russian accent is identified by foreigners immediately: we are distinguished by a not too emotional tone of communication, dry pronunciation of sounds. English, on the other hand, needs a more “lively” approach - here the impulsive pronunciation of words, lowering and raising the tone are very important, because with the help of them English-speaking people show their attitude to the conversation, paint it in the right colors.

Intonation

Each language has its own melody of speech, which gives it original features. There are two basic intonations in English: falling and rising. These tones in the language are indicated by a down arrow for descending and up for ascending.

Example:

I read a ↓ book.
Do you read a book?

The first tone is used in questions that begin with interrogative words, imperative, exclamatory and affirmative sentences.

Example:

This house is ↓ white- This house is white ;

↓ Open the door - Open the door;

Where did he ↓ ride? - Where did he ride?

Ascending is used for general questions, transfers, in requests.

Example:

Do you know Sam?- Do you know Sam?
May I ask you a question? -May I ask you a question?;
I have a hat, a shoes, a jacket and a ↓ socks - I have a hat, boots, jacket and socks.

stress

They play a big role in the English language. The stress here is not fixed, which means they are pronounced the way you want - in accordance with the phrase that you pronounce. Different parts of speech can be stressed in sentences: nouns, adjectives, verbs, numerals, adverbs and some pronouns.

How to improve reading skills in English?

As mentioned earlier, in the matter of learning the basics of the English language, constant practice remains the main thing. There are a number of exercises, tips and tricks to take your reading skills to the next level. You need to contact them as often as possible, even daily.

Speak children's tongue twisters

Suitable for people who want to learn to read from scratch and those who have great difficulty in the correct pronunciation of sounds. They are composed in such a way as to work out each sound separately. Choose those letters that are most difficult for you to pronounce, and repeat as often as possible tongue twisters specially created for them - at first slowly and legibly, you can gradually begin to accelerate.

Interdentalth :

Whether the weather is warm, whether the weather is hot, we have to put up with the weather, whether we like it or not.

Red leather, yellow leather.

Thirty thousand thirsty thieves thundered through the thicket.

Whistlings :

She sells seashells by the seashore.

Would the single singer sing the sad song about them?

I can think of six thin things, but I can think of six thick things too.

Soundsh , which is often confused withth :

We surely shall see the sun shine soon.

She sells sea shells on the seashore.

She slits the sheet she sits on.

Soundf :

The first fly flies forty-four feet,
The fourth fly flies forty-five feet,
The fifth fly flies fifty-four feet.
What fly flies fifty-five feet?

Fat frogs flying past fast.

Soundj :

US students are younger than UK junkers,

UK junkers are cuter than US students.

If US students weren't younger than UK junkers,

Could UK junkers be cuter than US students?

Yankee yachtsmen's yachts yaw for one yard,

Yakut yachtsmen's yachts yaw for two yards.

If Yankee yachtsmen's yachts didn't yaw for one yard,

Could Yakut yachtsmen’s yachts yaw for two yards?

Listen to competent English speech

Auditory memory will be very useful to you: listen to native speakers as often as possible: this can be films in English, radio, podcasts, audio books, educational materials and much more.

To begin with, choose to listen to small, light texts that you have in printed form. At the same time as the announcer says, repeat after him - gradually you will remember how he pronounces sounds that are difficult for you and you will begin to speak much more competently and beautifully.

Work on your pronunciation

Do not forget to communicate with people who have the correct English speech - with foreigners, teachers, people for whom English is like a second native. How well your interlocutors and listeners will understand you depends on pronunciation.

Listen to the people you are talking to very carefully, trying to imitate their intonation and pronunciation. Understand how to pronounce those sounds of the English language that are not in Russian: work on the position of the lips and tongue and try to remember the method of pronunciation of letters.

For example, most of the difficulties are caused by such a common sound in English asth.There are many mistakes in the attempts of Russian people to read it correctly: it often sounds like something between the letters s and z - this sound is not correct. In a number of words such asthis, that and therethis combination of letters should be pronounced as a sound between z and d, and in wordsthree, think and thief- as something between s and f.

Use transcriptions

Transcription is such a system of signs, where each of them conveys its own specific sound. With the help of them, it becomes much clearer how to pronounce complex words, what sounds they consist of. Usually only schoolchildren use transcriptions, and in vain - this method of memorizing and assimilating the correct pronunciation of sounds is suitable for any person. A table with transcription signs is presented below:

Let's break the combinations of consonants into groups.

Ordinary sounds.

The letter combination "ck" replaces the letter "k" according to the rule of three letters. If the word has one vowel, then the letter combination “ck” is written, if there are two vowels, then the letter “k” is written. The sound will be the same in both cases. Compare: lock - lock and look - look.

In the combination "qu", the vowel "u" ​​gives the consonant sound [w]. The combination "qu" is similar to the croaking of a frog.

The letter combination "dg" + silent "e" replaces the letter "g" + silent "e" at the end of the word according to the four letter rule. If there is a consonant before "g", then "g" + silent "e" is written, if not, then "dg" + silent "e" is written. The sound will be the same in both cases. Compare: pledge - pledge, plunge - immersion.

Hissing sounds.

Since the English alphabet does not have special letters for hissing sounds, as in Russian: "ch" and "sh", these hissing sounds are formed by a combination of letters. The sound consists of two letters, but is pronounced together, like the Russian “ch”. It is necessary to remember about deaf-voiced pairs: [∫ - ʒ], as in the Russian alphabet: "sh" - "g", "h" - "j".

At the end of words, the letter combination “tch” is written instead of “ch” according to the four-letter rule: if there is a consonant before, then “ch” is written, if not, then “tch”. For example: inch [ınt∫] - inch, itch [ıt∫] - thirst. Exceptions: much - very, rich - rich, such - such.

Interdental sounds- deaf and voiced. Deaf is used in semantic words: nouns, adjectives, verbs, numerals. Therefore, to read the combination "th" you need to know the translation of the word or part of speech. The voiced sound is used in pronouns and function words: prepositions, conjunctions, in definite article. Between vowels, the interdental sound is always voiced. For example: mother [‘mʌðə] - mother. Exceptions are borrowed from the Greek word, for example: author [ɔ: Өə] - author, method [‘meӨəd] - method.

Greek by origin, the letter combination "ph" [f] is often found in international words similar to different languages. For example, words similar to Russian: telephone [‘telıfəʊn] - telephone, phone - sound, call on the phone, physics [‘fızıks] - physics.

nasal[ŋ] at the end of a word is most often found in the ending –ing [ıŋ], although there are other cases. It must be remembered that the letter "g" is not pronounced. This letter is pronounced only in the middle of a word, for example: English [‘ıŋglı∫] - English. The sound combination [ŋk] is formed not only by combining the letters “nk”, but also always when the letter “n” is followed by the sound [k], for example: anxious [‘æŋk∫əs] – preoccupied.

dumb consonants are not pronounced and therefore do not require additional explanations. For the letter combination "wh", the rule changes when the letter "o" comes next. In this case, silent letters change places in this combination of letters. For example: whole - whole, who - who, whose - whose.

In conclusion, we note that the letter "h" is the most compatible letter in the English alphabet. So, if you meet this letter in a word, see if it is in any combination of letters.

This article is for those who learning to read english. The twenty-first lesson is devoted to the topic "English alphabet", and to remember it better, a video is attached to the alphabet (classic British version).

There are two ways to teach reading: from sound to letter and from letter to sound. The first twenty lessons of the cycle were based on the methodology from sound to letter and now that we're through all english sounds, you can safely go to another level. Therefore, in the next five lessons we will go "from letter to sound" and today it's time to learn English alphabet.

In Lesson 21 you will learn that

• there are only 6 vowels in English;
• what is an open syllable;
• how vowels are read in an open syllable.

Let's start with English alphabet. Listen to the song "ABC", watch the video and learn how to pronounce the letters in English. Total in English 6 vowels and 20 consonants.

English Alphabet Video ABC Song

(classic british version)

learned English alphabet? Then let's move on. Here's what the alphabet looks like in writing: Rules for reading vowels in English

REMEMBER:

1. in English only 6 vowels:

aa —

ee —

II —

Oh —

Uu —

Yy —

1. the stressed vowel is read in 4 ways, depending on what type of syllable it is in. There are 24 sounds in total.

Types of syllable in English

Rule (main). In an open syllable, the vowel is read as in the alphabet.

f a mouse = f a-mous

c u cumber = c u-cumber

In English there is also conditionally open syllable. These are monosyllabic words with an "e" at the end. EXAMPLES. P e te, l a te, c o ke.

Letter e at the end of a word unreadable and called " e - mute". It shows that the root vowel should be read as in the alphabet. There are many such words in English.

How to divide a word into syllables? (repetition)

How to divide a word into syllables? Take, for example, the word CUCUMBER (cucumber) and divide it into syllables.

The general rule is: how many vowels, so many syllables.

C U C U MB E R is three vowels, hence three syllables: C U-C U M-B E R

1. The first syllable ends in a vowel => he open
2. The second syllable ends in a consonant => he closed
3. The third syllable ends in a consonant => he too closed

Parsing:

BER: the letter combination ER at the end of a word reads like [ə]

But don't bother yourself with this just yet, the most important thing to remember is that vowels in English in OPEN syllable they are read as in the alphabet. Therefore, if you have learned the English alphabet (the video, of course, will speed up this process), then you can already read the words with open syllable.

Now let's get to repeating the rules for reading vowels. I remind you that there are only 6 of them. Let's take the first letter of the alphabet. It reads "Hey". It's easy to remember if you look at the picture. " Hey, who eats nuts? Find a sound and listen to how it is pronounced -

So, let's move on to reading the first vowel of the English alphabet. Letter A in stressed syllable means 4 sounds. See TABLE below. Besides, if letter A stands in an unstressed syllable, it is read [ə] .

So before you start reading the first vowel of the English alphabet, summarize:

• in the first (open) type of syllable (I) all stressed vowels are read as in the alphabet
• and in the second (II), third (III) and fourth (IV) - according to the table

Reading the English letter A in four types of syllable

So, let's start reading. Here in front of you 4 types of syllable (I - open, II-closed, III, IV). Square brackets indicate how to pronounce the letter Aa in this type of syllable UNDER ACCENT. Phrases are tongue twisters that need to be repeated many times in order to remember reading the letter A in the corresponding syllable type.

For those who have just joined. A dictionary is connected to the site, click on the word and you will hear it correct pronunciation. To hear how the sound in [square brackets] is pronounced, look it up in the phonemic table.

Reading the vowel Aa in 4 types of syllable. Tongue Twisters

1. - This l a ke is a f a mouspl a ce in W a les. (See Lesson #20)

2. [æ] - A bl a ck c a t s a t on a m a t and a te a f a r a t. (See Lesson #3)

3. - The p ar ks, g ar dens and f ar ms are l ar ge and ch ar ming. (Lesson #6)

4. - My p are nts* take c are of r are h are s. (See Lesson #18)

LISTEN to how the sounds , [æ], , — are pronounced

*parents - [`peərənts]

Pronunciation is important! For you author's pronunciation lessons:

Phonetic exercises for reading the letter A in an open and closed syllable

A(I,II):

lake, jam, apple, famous, name, fan, trade, lamp, maze, batman, gate, stand, to behave, matter, skate, as, cable, take, rabbit, amazing , to decamp, to debate, Danish, raffish, rally, slake, snake, slalom, slam, fate, place, blame, can, rage, frank, splash, spade, damp, African, admiral, age, and, to arrange, to attack;

to is a feature of the verb. Most verbs are stressed on the second syllable.

Phonetic exercises for reading the letter A in the third and fourth type of syllable

A(III,IV):

car, large, care, rare, cart, hare, chart, card, stare, dark, market, bare, yard, star, glare, far, bar, apartment, parents, spare, scare, lark, mare, bare, dare, carpet, particle, barefoot, March, larch, square.

Exceptions:
1 - have, vase
2 - any , many [`meni], ate

In an unstressed syllable, A reads like [ə]:
a bout, a round, a cross, to a ttack, alpha bet, Africa, to a dvise, to a ddress

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Phonetic exercises for practicing reading the letter A with audio recording and answers (closed content)

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Title: Phonetic exercises with audio recording

Description: Access to restricted content *Repeat the rules of reading in English*

So let's sum up the results of the twenty-first lesson on learning to read in English and pronunciation at the same time:

• you learned the English alphabet;
• you learned what an open syllable is in English;
• do you know how to read a vowel Ah in an open syllable;
• you fixed the pronunciation of the English sounds , [æ], , .

We have already mastered. Today we have a difficult topic: the rules of reading in English. Why is it difficult? Yes, because in English there are open and closed syllables, several types of reading vowels, special rules for reading double letters and letter combinations, and many other rules. And there are also exceptions to the rule. Sometimes it is not clear what is more, rules or exceptions. However, you still need to be able to read. First of all, consider the reading of vowels.

Divide words into syllables

Since the reading of vowels depends on the type stressed syllable, it is worth starting with this. If you understand the types of syllable, then everything will be much easier.

First, let's divide the word into syllables (this applies to polysyllabic words with multiple vowels). The number of syllables depends on the number of vowels in a word. Find all the vowels in the word.

A) If a vowel is followed by one consonant (except - r), then this consonant refers to the next syllable: co-lour, fi-nish, e-le-ven.
Immediately an exception: monosyllabic words with a final unpronounceable vowel e are not divided into syllables: rule, face, take.

B) If there are two consonants behind the vowel, then the first consonant will refer to the first syllable, and the second to the following: doc-tor, sis-ter, fac-to-ry.

C) If there is a sonant in the word [l] , [m] , [n] , [r] , then the consonant in front of it refers to the following syllable: ta-ble , cy-cle , no-ble .

D) Combinations of letters ld, nd form a separate syllable: frie-nd, mi-ld, spe-nd.

Syllable types

There are four types of stressed syllable in English.

1. Open syllable. This is a syllable that ends in a vowel: he, no, we.
This also includes words that end in mute - e: time, life, name.

2. Closed syllable. This is the name of a syllable that ends in one or more consonants (except - r):
mend , ten , best .

3. Syllable with the letter r. In such a syllable, the letter r, as a rule, is not pronounced: car, mark, start.

4. Syllable with combination r + e. In it, the letters r and e are also not pronounced: fire , where , cure .

Well, we figured out the syllables. Now we mentally divide the word into syllables and learn to read it.

Rules for reading vowels

Depending on the type of stressed syllable, four types of reading vowels are distinguished.

1. The first type of reading. In an open syllable, vowels are read in the same way as they are called in the alphabet. This type of reading is also called alphabetic. Consider the examples in the table:

2. The second type of reading. Vowels in a closed syllable are read briefly.

3. The third type of reading. The letter r after the stressed vowel is not read, while the vowel becomes long.

4. The fourth type of reading. This combination is: stressed vowel + r + vowel

The letter y at the beginning of a word before a vowel is read as a sound [j], for example: yesterday - yesterday.

Reading unstressed vowels

In an unstressed position, vowels are read differently.

The letters e, i, y are read like a sound [i] - elastic elastic, distort distort, heavy [‘hevi] heavy.

Vowels a, o, u are read like a sound [ə] - amaze [ə'meiz] amaze, develop develop, successful successful

Combinations of vowels and vowels with consonants

Various combinations of vowels, as well as vowels and consonants, have their own reading rules. They will have to be learned separately.

• ee reads like a sound - meet meet
• ea is also read as - speak [‘spi: k] to speak
  Exception: head head, breakfast [‘brekfəst] breakfast, bread bread
• ai gives sound - main main
• ay is pronounced as a diphthong - day
• oo before any consonant except k and r reads like - food [‘fu: d] food
  Exception: good, room
• oo before the letter k is pronounced as a short sound [u] - book book
• oi reads like [ɔi] - point point
• oy also gives a diphthong [ɔi] - boy boy
• oa read like - coat [‘kout] coat
• ou reads like - house house
• ou in some words of French origin reads like - group group
• ou before the letter r is pronounced like [ɔ:] - four [‘fɔ:] four
  Exception: hour [‘auə] hour, our [‘auə] our
• ea before r gives a diphthong - near near
• air sounds like [ɛə] - chair [‘ʧɛə] chair
• eer is read as a diphthong - engineer engineer
• ew in most words is read as - new [‘nju:] new
• ow under stress in monosyllabic words and in the middle of polysyllabic words sounds like - now [‘nau] now, brown brown
• ow at the end of two-syllable words in an unstressed position reads like - yellow [‘jelou] yellow
• w + or before a consonant sounds like [ə:] - work work
• wa is read as if it is followed by a final consonant (except r) or combinations of consonants - want [‘wɔnt] want
• al before k sounds like [ɔ:], while l is not pronounced - chalk [ʧɔ: k] chalk
• a + s before a consonant reads like - glass glass
• o before m and n is pronounced like [ʌ] - son son
• o + th reads like [ʌ] - mother [‘mʌðə] mother
• ig h is read as, while gh is not pronounced - light light

As you can see, the rules for reading vowels in English are not complicated, but there are a lot of them. Do not forget that there are words - exceptions that are read differently. They are also not few. Reading consonants, we will analyze another time.