Breaking Multisyllable Words

Front

What is a syllable?

Back

A syllable is a single, unbroken sound of a spoken (or written) word. It typically contains a vowel sound and may include consonants.

Front

How do you break a word into syllables?

Back

To break a word into syllables, identify the vowel sounds and group the surrounding consonants accordingly.

Front

What is the rule for dividing syllables with a single consonant between two vowels?

Back

When a single consonant is between two vowels, the syllable usually divides before the consonant (e.g., 'ba-nana').

Front

What is the rule for dividing syllables with two consonants between two vowels?

Back

When two consonants are between two vowels, the syllable usually divides between the consonants (e.g., 'but-ter').

Front

What is a closed syllable?

Back

A closed syllable ends with a consonant and has a short vowel sound (e.g., 'cat', 'dog').

Front

What is an open syllable?

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An open syllable ends with a vowel and has a long vowel sound (e.g., 'he', 'go').

Front

What is a vowel team?

Back

A vowel team is a combination of two vowels that together make one sound (e.g., 'ea' in 'bread').

Front

What is a diphthong?

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A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable (e.g., 'oi' in 'boil').

Front

What is a syllable division rule for prefixes?

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When a word has a prefix, the prefix is usually a syllable by itself (e.g., 'un-happy').

Front

What is a syllable division rule for suffixes?

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When a word has a suffix, the suffix is usually a syllable by itself (e.g., 'play-ing').