Closed Syllables
Closed syllables have one vowel, followed by a consonant. The vowel has a
short sound. Examples include
am,
cut,
him,
pot,
track, and
French. Multisyllable words can be made up of
entirely closed syllables, such as the words
admonish or
plastic.
Open Syllables
An open syllable ends in a vowel and the vowel usually is long. Words
containing open syllables include
be,
so,
baby, and
veto.
Examples of open syllables combined with closed syllables include
i>program and
recess.
Vowel-Consonant-E Syllables
Vowel-Consonant-E syllables are also known as "VCE syllables" or "Magic E
syllables." In this syllable type, there is a vowel followed by a
consonant and silent
e. The silent
e makes the vowel
before it long. One syllable VCE words include
make and
smile.
There are many ultisyllable words containing the VCE syllable type,
such as
reptile and
disclose.
Vowel Team Syllables
Vowel team syllables are sometimes referred to as "vowel pair
syllables." In a vowel team syllable, two (or more) vowels come together
to make one sound. Vowel teams are used in words like
out or
beach.
Multisyllable words containing vowel team syllables include
caution,
loyal, and
discount.
R-Controlled Syllables
This syllable type can be called a "Bossy
R syllable." In
r-controlled syllable types, a vowel is followed by the letter
r.
The
r "controls" vowel, and gives it a different sound. Examples
of r-controlled syllables include
far, hurt, and
sir.
Consonant-le Syllables
Sometimes referred to as "final, stable syllables," consonant-le
syllables are normally found at the end of a word. They consist of a
consonant followed by the letters
le. Examples of words ending
with this syllable type include
turtle,
middle, and
table.