Syllables/Spelling Patterns -> consonant

Consonants

Consonants are speech sounds that are produced by obstructing the airflow in the vocal tract. Unlike vowels, which are produced with an open vocal tract, consonants are produced by partially or completely obstructing the airflow. They are an essential part of the English language and are found in all words.

Types of Consonants

There are several types of consonants, including:

• Plosives: Consonants produced by completely stopping the airflow and then releasing it, creating a burst of sound. Examples include /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, and /g/.
• Fricatives: Consonants produced by forcing air through a narrow channel, creating a turbulent airflow and a friction-like sound. Examples include /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /sh/, and /zh/.
• Affricates: Consonants that begin as plosives and end as fricatives. Examples include /ch/ and /j/.
• Nasals: Consonants produced by allowing the airflow to escape through the nose. Examples include /m/, /n/, and /ng/.
• Liquids: Consonants produced with a partial closure in the vocal tract, allowing the airflow to move around the sides of the tongue. Examples include /l/ and /r/.
• Glide: Consonants produced with little or no obstruction to the airflow. Examples include /w/ and /y/.

Consonant Sounds

Consonants can be represented by letters or combinations of letters in the English alphabet. For example, the letter "b" represents the /b/ sound, and the letters "th" can represent the /θ/ or /ð/ sounds.

Consonant Blends and Digraphs

Consonant blends are combinations of two or more consonant sounds that are pronounced together in a word, such as "bl" in "black" or "str" in "street". Digraphs are pairs of letters that represent a single sound, such as "sh" in "ship" or "ch" in "chat".

Study Tips

When studying consonants, it's important to practice identifying and pronouncing different consonant sounds. You can also create flashcards with words containing consonant blends and digraphs to help reinforce your understanding. Additionally, reading books and practicing phonics activities can improve your recognition and pronunciation of consonant sounds.

[Consonant] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Consonant Blends & DigraphsESL-Spanish • Grades 3-5
• Consonant Blends and DigraphsEnglish Language Arts • First Grade
• Consonant BlendsEnglish Language Arts • Third Grade
• Syllable Patterns/Word FamiliesEnglish Language Arts • Third Grade
• Closed SyllablesEnglish Language Arts • Kindergarten