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Syllable Patterns

Words are divided into syllables by using the Syllable Division Rules or Syllable Pattern Rules. To divide using syllable patterns:
  1. Separate prefixes and suffixes from root words.
    • examples:  pre-view, work-ing, re-do, end-less, & out-ing
  2. Write a V on top of every vowel.
  3. Write a C on top of every consonant.
  4. Use the V (vowel) & C (consonant) patterns below.
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VC/CV and VC/CCV

  • Divide between the 1st and 2nd consonants.
    • examples:  buf-fet, des-sert, ob-ject, ber-ry, & pil-grim
  • Never split 2 consonants that are different letters, but make only 1 sound when pronounced together.
    • examples:  th, sh, ph, th, ch, & wh

V/CV and VC/V

  • Does the 1st vowel have a long sound?  (Like the 'i' in line)
    • Divide before the consonant:  V/CV
    • examples:  ba-by, re-sult, i-vy, fro-zen, & Cu-pid
  • Does the 1st vowel have a short sound?  (Like the 'i' in mill)
    • Divide after the consonant:  VC/V
    • examples:  met-al, riv-er, mod-el, val-ue, & rav-age
Fun Fact
Fire has only 1 syllable.

!Learn Why

CV/V, CV/VC, and CV/VVC

  • Do the vowels make 2 different vowel sounds?
    • Divide between the vowel letters which separate the different sounds.
    • examples:  tri-o, po-em, li-on, be-ing, & cu-ri-ous
VCe
  • VCe stands for Vowel-Consonant-e.
  • The "e" in VCe is usually silent.
  • VCe is usually the last syllable in a root word.
  • If the word has more than 1 syllable, divide before the vowel.
    • examples:  ex-ile. take, line, tone, & tune
C-le
  • C-le stands for Consonant-le.
  • It's usually the last syllable in a root word.
  • Does the word end with 'ckle'?
    • Divide right before the 'le.'
    • examples:  tack-le, freck-le, tick-le, & buck-le
  • Does the word end with 'le' (not 'ckle')?
    • Is the letter before the 'le' a consonant?
      • Divide 1 letter before the 'le.'
      • examples:  ap-ple, rum-ble, fa-ble, & ta-ble
    • Is the letter before the 'le' a vowel?
      • Do nothing.
      • examples:  ale, scale, sale, file, & tile
Next:  Syllable Rules

Syllable Rules   >>   Syllable Patterns    Examples

Examples
Buffet
  • cvc-cvc
  • buf-fet
Pilgrim
  • cvc-ccvc
  • pil-grim
Baby
  • cv-cv
  • ba-by
Metal
  • cvc-vc
  • met-al
Trio
  • ccv-v
  • tri-o
Poem
  • cv-vc
  • po-em
Curious
  • cv-cv-vvc
  • cu-ri-ous
Take
  • cvce
  • take
Exile
  • vc-vce
  • ex-ile
Tackle
  • cvck-le
  • tack-le
Apple
  • vc-cle
  • ap-ple
Next:  Syllable Rules
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