1. a_e (vowel-consonant-e)

When the letter 'a' is followed by a single consonant and then the letter 'e,' the letter 'a' is usually pronounced as /eɪ/.

a. same /seɪm/

Samantha Sanders same

b. cake /keɪk/

cake

c. safe /seɪf/

Samantha Sanders safe
Pronunciation Pages includes lessons for learning the spellings of all 43 sounds of English.

Pronunciation Pages includes lessons for learning the spellings of all 43 sounds of English.

2. -ai-

The 'ai' spelling is a fairly common spelling for the mid-word 'long a' sound.

a. rain /reɪn/

 
Samantha Sanders rain
 

b. paid /peɪd/

 
Samantha Sanders paid
 

c. faith /feɪθ/

 
Samantha Sanders faith
 

3. ay

a. say /seɪ/

 
Samantha Sanders say
 

b. play /pleɪ/

 
Samantha Sanders play
 

c. way /weɪ/

 
way
 

4. eigh

a. eight /eɪt/

 
eight
 

b. weigh /weɪ/

 
weigh
 

c. sleigh /sleɪ/

 
Samantha Sanders sleigh