1. a_e (vowel-consonant-e)

When the letter 'a' is followed by a single consonant and then the letter 'e,' the letter 'a' is usually pronounced as /eɪ/.

a. same /seɪm/

same
0:00 / 0:00

b. cake /keɪk/

cake
0:00 / 0:00

c. safe /seɪf/

safe
0:00 / 0:00
Pronunciation Pages includes lessons for learning the spellings of all 43 sounds of English.

Pronunciation Pages includes lessons for learning the spellings of all 43 sounds of English.

2. -ai-

The 'ai' spelling is a fairly common spelling for the mid-word 'long a' sound.

a. rain /reɪn/

 
rain
0:00 / 0:00
 

b. paid /peɪd/

 
paid
0:00 / 0:00
 

c. faith /feɪθ/

 
faith
0:00 / 0:00
 

3. ay

a. say /seɪ/

 
say
0:00 / 0:00
 

b. play /pleɪ/

 
play
0:00 / 0:00
 

c. way /weɪ/

 
way
0:00 / 0:00
 

4. eigh

a. eight /eɪt/

 
eight
0:00 / 0:00
 

b. weigh /weɪ/

 
weigh
0:00 / 0:00
 

c. sleigh /sleɪ/

 
sleigh
0:00 / 0:00