Words, Phonograms, Spelling Rules
Please explain the spelling of...
Why do words with /ä/ and /ŏ/ sound the same to me?
Why does this Latin plural end with an <i>?
If English words do not end in <i>, How do you explain the word <ski> and <skiing>?
How do I explain the spelling of the word lieutenant?
How may I understand spelling of the words <said> and <says>?
Why do the words <king> and <kind> have different vowel sounds?
The Spelling of "Who"
The spelling of the word 'of'
Are 'taxi' and 'alibi' exceptions to the rule that English words do not end in I, U, V or J?
Why is there a silent e in examine, determine, definite, etc.?
Kim Wright
The words <said> and <says> are one of the two percent of English words that contain a sound that is a true exception!
It is very unusual for ai to say /ĕ/. I do not know when it came to be written and pronounced this way. It is probably that the pronunciation of these two words shifted over time. As with most English words that are true exceptions, these are two very old English words.
When teaching the spelling of this word to students, we find it most helpful to show them the parallels in spelling between lay-lays-laid, pay-pays-paid, and say-says-said. This way, they understand that the spelling follows a consistent pattern even though the pronunciation of one of the sounds breaks the rules.
We teach how the spelling of these words using spelling analysis.
Do you have any resources available to help me learn the phonogram sounds?
Why does O say /oo/ in the words DO and TO?
Why is there a silent E in house?