Syllables: vowel and consonant patterns
The usual rule is simple: every syllable contains a vowel.
Sometimes, that
vowel sound is spelled with just one letter:
dentist |
lazy |
upon |
volcano |
America |
Sometimes, it is spelled with more than one letter:
teaching |
lightest |
statue |
swallow |
cloakroom |
 |
Now, you know what’s coming next!
A few words break the rule and the syllables are created by consonants.
For example: |
|
Sometimes the letter m on the end of a word forms a syllable on its own: |
|
rhythm |
Most rock music has strong rhythm. |
|
chasm |
A chasm is a wide gap. |
|
spasm |
A spasm is a sudden, uncontrolled movement. |
|
These words all have the suffix -ism which
has two syllables. It can mean an action, a system, a principle, a
medical condition: |
|
ageism |
Ageism: bias against
older people. |
|
alcoholism |
Alcoholism: an addiction to alcohol. |
|
Buddhism |
Buddhism: the beliefs
of Buddhists. |