Understanding R-Controlled Vowels
When a vowel is followed by the letter r, it makes a special sound. The r changes the way the vowel is pronounced. These are called r-controlled vowels or “bossy r” sounds.
- ar → car
- er → her
- ir → bird
- or → corn
- ur → fur
When you see a vowel followed by r, remember the r is in charge of the sound!
Pattern ar
The letters ar make the sound /är/ as in car. This sound often feels like the “ah” sound, but the r controls it.
- car
- star
- farm
- park
Think of ar as saying “arrr,” like a pirate!
Patterns er, ir, and ur
The patterns er, ir, and ur often make the same /ər/ sound. Even though they are spelled differently, they usually sound alike in words.
- her (er)
- bird (ir)
- fur (ur)
- first (ir)
Don’t worry if they sound the same—use practice to remember which pattern is in each word.
Pattern or
The letters or usually make the /ôr/ sound, like in corn. Sometimes it can sound a little different, but most often it says “or.”
- corn
- fork
- storm
- short
Think of or as saying “or,” like when you choose between two things.
Practicing R-Controlled Vowels in Sentences
Seeing r-controlled vowels in sentences helps us understand how they are used in real reading.
- The car is in the park.
- The bird sits on her hand.
- It will storm soon.
- The cat has soft fur.
When you read, listen carefully for the sound the r makes with the vowel.