Long and Short Vowels

English Vowels can make a short sound (ă ĕ ĭ ŏ ŭ) or a long sound (ā ē ī ō ū). Here are the spelling rules for when a vowel changes from a short sound to a long sound. 1. Silent Final E can jump one consonant to make a vowel say its long sound. 2. If two vowels are together they may work as a vowel team to possibly make the vowel say its long sound. 3. If a vowel is at the end of a syllable it will make its long sound. This is called an open syllable 4. If I or O are followed by two consonants they will make their long sound.