Learn diphthongs (vowel digraphs) by definitions, words creation, list, comparison, and examples. This lesson is purely based on concept learning for permanent understanding.
Vowel Digraphs or Diphthongs Concept
Like digraphs or consonants digraphs, vowel digraphs or diphthongs also have something same concept structure. Furthermore, two vowel sounds get together or join to form a sound, called vowel digraph or diphthongs. Keep in your mind the vowels are a,e, i,o,u.
Examples
a+i= ai
e+a=ea
e+e=ee
i+e=ie
o+a=oa
o+u=ou
Vowel Words
ai= straight, wait, chain, jail, paid, paint, train, snail, brain, rain, mail, sail
ea= beach, cream, deal, flea, easy, leak, preach, teach, plead, peak.
ee= tree, sweet, seed, speed, need, free, sheet, heed, green, queen, peel, feel, heel, street.
ie=die, pie, pliers, lie, diet, lied, tied, fiery, tried, vie, view.
oa= coast, roast, boat, coat, float, moat, poach, load, roam, soak.
ou= soup, group, wound, recoup, troupe.
Types of Vowel Digraphs Sounds
Types of Diphthongs Sounds
- Long Vowel Digraphs Sounds
- Short Vowel Digraphs Sounds
Long Vowel Digraph Sounds
It refers to the paying long time in pronouncing the vowel digraph.
Examples
straight, beach, speed, wound.
All the above-mentioned categories (ai, ee, ou ) represent long vowel sounds.
Also Learn: What are Digraphs | Definitions and Examples
Short Vowel Digraph Sounds
It refers to the paying comparatively short time than long vowel sounds in pronouncing the vowel digraph.
Examples
pie, tree.
All the above-mentioned categories (ie, ee ) represent short vowel sounds.
Difference Between Consonants Digraphs and Vowel Digraphs
As we know that both the digraphs types are formed by combining two letters to form a monosound. So, the main and important difference between them is that two consonants are combined to create consonats digraphs whereas two vowels make vowel digraphs or diphthongs.