CHAPTER 3

Vowel Plus r

In English spelling, some consonants change the sound of the vowel that precedes them without using the

silent e.
When the r follows a vowel, it almost always creates a new vowel sound and becomes the dominant
consonant. Usually, there is a clear pattern, and the student will recognize it quickly. Often, however, the
combination of vowel plus r can produce more than one sound. When we include diphthongs or the silent
e, there are more than three dozen possible sounds.

The following are examples of a single vowel preceding an r.

(^) In this group of words, the ar follows the letters w and qu:
(^) This group of words uses er:
(^) This group of words uses ir:
(^) This group of words uses or:
(^) In this group of words, the or follows the letter w:
(^) One anomaly is the word worn.
This group of words uses ur:
(^) One anomaly is the word bury, which is pronounced berry.
In yr words, when the y is followed by r, there are three possible sounds: