The Magic Silent E

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The letter E is special. Sometimes E is silent. It does not make a sound. But it changes the word. It changes the vowel sound.

Look at the word "cap". The A is short. It sounds like /æ/. Now add E at the end: "cape". The E is silent. But the A becomes long. It sounds like /eɪ/. So "cap" and "cape" are different.

Here are more examples. "Kit" has a short I. Add E: "kite". The I is long. "Hop" has a short O. Add E: "hope". The O is long. "Cut" has a short U. Add E: "cute". The U is long. "Plan" becomes "plane". "Rid" becomes "ride". "Not" becomes "note". The silent E makes the vowel say its name.

This is a very useful rule. When you see a word with a vowel, a consonant, and an E at the end, the vowel is usually long. The E is silent. For example: "make", "like", "home", "use". In these words, the first vowel is long.

Practice with a friend. Read these pairs: "tap" and "tape", "bit" and "bite", "cod" and "code", "cub" and "cube". Say them slowly. Feel the difference.

Remember: The silent E is a magic letter. It changes short vowels to long vowels. It is easy to learn. Practice every day. You will speak better.