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The English Alphabet & Sounds

26 letters and key sounds

English has 26 letters

Letters A–Z include 5 vowels and 21 consonants.

📊 Vowel sounds
Vowel Short sound Example
a /æ/ cat
e /ɛ/ bed
i /ɪ/ sit
o /ɒ/ hot
u /ʌ/ cup
💬 Examples
cat
a small animal kept as a pet
📝 c-a-t = 3 sounds
ship
a large boat that travels on the ocean
📝 sh = one sound not two
Silent letters are common

Many English letters are not pronounced.

💬 Examples
knife
a tool with a blade used for cutting
📝 k is silent
write
to form words on paper
📝 w is silent
Stress falls on one syllable

The stressed syllable is louder and longer.

💬 Examples
PHOto
a photograph; image taken by a camera
📝 stress on first syllable
toMAtto
a red fruit used in cooking
📝 stress on second syllable