Alternative Pronunciation y (I)

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Basics on the topic Alternative Pronunciation y (I)

Sometimes the letter y can work as a vowel sound, like when it is at the end of words such as 'cry' or 'why'. Learn more in this video.

Transcript Alternative Pronunciation y (I)

Dee, Kala and their friend, , are at the fair being silly in the Hall of Mirrors. When Dee stands in front of his mirror, he looks like a long bendy noodle. When Kala stands in front of her mirror, she looks really round and oh-so fluffy. But, when stands in front of its mirror, it looks like ?! Wait a minute! How could this be?! Let's introduce Dee and Kala to "Alternative Pronunciations: ". You may already know that the letter is a consonant and makes the sound /Y/ as in yawn, yellow, or yo-yo! You may also remember that vowels are the letters , , , , and . The letter is a consonant, but did you know, it can sometimes act as a vowel? acts as a vowel when there is no other vowel in the syllable by making a vowel sound. When comes at the end of a one-syllable word, it says like in the words cry, fly, and dry. Let’s say one together: cry . Now that we know when can say , let's have a look at some words with the letter in and decide if it is making a /Y/ sound or an sound. The first word is sky. What sound does make in sky? makes the sound! It follows the consonant at the end of a one-syllable word! Let's try the word yak now. What sound does make in yak? makes the /Y/ sound! It is a consonant at the beginning of the word and the vowel is there too! How about the word why? What sound does make here? makes the sound! It follows the consonant at the end of a one-syllable word! As Dee, Kala and their friend start to leave the hall of mirrors, let's remember! Today we learnt that the letter can act as a vowel in some words. When the letter comes at the end of a one-syllable word it no longer says /Y/, instead it says ! Let's say it together one more time: cry . "Those mirrors were so funny!" "I can't believe what we looked like!" "Wait, where's ?" "Uh, Dee. Why is this happening again?"

Alternative Pronunciation y (I) exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learnt? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Alternative Pronunciation y (I).

Is y making an I sound?

Hints

Sound out each word with y making a /y/ sound and y making an I sound, which sounds correct?

Remember, y often makes an I sound at the end of words.

There are two words to highlight.

Solution

In the words dry and spy, y makes an I sound.
In the word yoghurt, y makes a /y/ sound.
Can you match the words and pictures?

Hints

Sound out each word with y making an I sound and y making a /y/ sound.
Which way sounds correct?

Remember, y often makes an I sound at the end of a word.

There are two words where y makes an I sound and two words where y makes a /y/ sound.

Solution

In the words yell and yak, y makes the /y/ sound.
In the words fry and cry, y makes the I sound.
What sound is y making?

Hints

Sound out each word with y making an I sound and y making a /y/ sound. Which one sounds correct?

Remember, y at the end of a word often makes an /I/ sound.

There are three words where y is making an I sound and three words where y is making a /y/ sound.

Solution

In the words spy, rely and sly, y is making an I sound.
In the words yap, yard and yelp, y is making a /y/ sound.
Can you complete the sentences?

Hints

Remember, if you hear an /I/ sound at the end of a word, it is often made with the letter y.

The missing word in the last sentence is a tricky word so think carefully about the spelling.

Solution

I am going camping in July.
I will reply to your letter.
You can come with me.
In which of these words does y make an I sound?

Hints

Sound out each word with y making an I sound and y making a /y/ sound.
Which sounds correct?

Remember, y often makes an I sound at the end of a word.

There is only one correct option.

Solution

Y makes an I sound at the end of the word shy.
In yes, yum and yuck, y makes a /y/ sound.
How do we make the I sound?

Hints

If you hear the I sound at the end of a word, it is often a y making it.

The second word follows the same spelling pattern as hike.

The third word follows the same spelling pattern as right.

Solution

The sound I can be made in different ways, here are the correct spellings for these words.
Try is spelt t r y.
Bike is spelt b i k e.
Light is spelt l i g h t.