Irregular Spelling and Pronunciation Patterns

In searching for totally irregular or non-phonetic words, we have found none. This surprises some people, because they have been taught that English has lots of sight words that follow no pattern and just have to be memorized. However, every word has at least one phonetic characteristic. The task is to be on the lookout for recognizable patterns. Knowing and applying the basic patterns helps us to read and spell unusual words. Vowels seem to be the cause of most spelling and pronunciation difficulties.

In this lesson, we are going to look at several irregular but nonetheless partially phonetic words. Most contain what appears to be an unnecessary letter, such as the u in fluoride and the e in give. Each of the words in Roman numerals I, II, and III has at least one apparently unnecessary letter.

I Can you spot the seemingly extraneous vowel or vowels in these words?

II Here are 18 words that end in a silent e that would theoretically trigger the long-vowel sound of a preceding vowel but instead have the short-vowel or schwa sound. A silent e is appended to comply with the rule that English words will not end in the letter v.

III This list has several more words that end in v and silent e. Notice that naïve has two dots over the i. This French-based word is pronounced with two consecutive vowel sounds: |nī • ēv|. Each word has at least one silent letter or an extra consonant. For example, the th in clothes is silent; broccoli has an extra c; and the t in croquet, bouquet, and sachet is silent. The é in soufflé has a long-vowel a sound.

IV This list features words that have sound or spelling variations. All of these words should be part of your student’s vocabulary. Pronounce the ieu in milieu either |ū| (as here in Roman numeral IV) or |ü| (as seen in Roman numeral V below).

V Even though the words one and once have already been introduced, we include them here because they are unusual. A few of the words are French-based
(like quiche), and some are treated as exceptions because they are easier to pronounce contrary to pattern. (Try to say pretzel with a true z sound, |tz|!) A few of the words here have an i that is pronounced |y|. This is a role reversal, as usually a y mimics the i sound, not the other way around. Note that the j in hallelujah is pronounced |y| and that the di in cordial and soldier is pronounced with the |j| sound.

VI Here are just a few additional foreign-influenced or irregularly handled words to add to your student’s vocabulary. Some words have previously been discussed or introduced, some have not.