Short Vowels

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Short Vowels

The short vowel sounds are not pronounced for shorter time than long vowel sounds. The terms "long" and "short" are not describing the length of time a vowel sound is said. These archaic terms are still in popular use in American classrooms and online. They are used to simply give a name to a vowel sound so when the sound is discussed, the name and not the sound is used.

When a vowel is followed by a consonant, the vowel is short. Some dictionaries use the diacritical mark for a short vowel and it is called a breve (˘), which is in the shape of a downturned arc.

A vowel is usually short when there is only one vowel in a word or syllable, as in cat, bed, hot. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as with irregular vowels.

There is both a long and short sound to “oo”. The short sound appears as in the words book, booth, and took.

The following is a list of the 5 short vowel sounds in American English:

1- Short "a" (ă) sound /æ/ as in at, taxi, anniversary, laboratory, tackle
2- Short "e" (ĕ) sound /ɛ/ as in elm, elevator, jellyfish, pentagon, dentist
3- Short "i" (ĭ) sound /ɪ/ as in it, gift, inflate, spinach, ink
4- Short "o" (ŏ) sound /ɑ:/as in hop, camouflage, garage, chop, father, paw
5- Short "u" (ŭ) sound /ʌ/ as in up, cut, cup

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