What Is Silent e?
Silent e is an e at the end of a word that is not pronounced, but it changes the vowel before it into a long vowel sound. Words that follow this pattern are often called CVCe words (Consonant–Vowel–Consonant–e).
- cap → cape
- kit → kite
- hop → hope
- cub → cube
- mad → made
Silent e makes the vowel “say its name.” For example, in hop the vowel is short, but in hope the vowel is long.
Silent e with the Long A Sound
When an a is followed by a consonant and then a silent e, the a usually makes the long /ā/ sound. This turns short a words into long vowel words.
- cap → cape
- mad → made
- tap → tape
- plan → plane
Think of Silent e as giving power to the vowel. In cape, the a changes from /ă/ to /ā/.
Silent e with the Long I Sound
Silent e makes the vowel i say its name. Words with i_e often change from short /ĭ/ to long /ī/.
- kit → kite
- rip → ripe
- fin → fine
- win → wine
Compare kit and kite. The Silent e makes the i say /ī/ instead of /ĭ/.
Silent e with the Long O Sound
When the vowel o is followed by a consonant and Silent e, it usually says its long sound /ō/.
- hop → hope
- rod → rode
- not → note
- cop → cope
The Silent e makes the o “open up” and say /ō/ as in note.
Silent e with the Long U Sound
Silent e after u often makes the long /ū/ sound, like the beginning of the word “use.” Sometimes it sounds like /oo/ as in “flute.”
- cub → cube
- tub → tube
- mule
- flute
When you see u_e, say the long u sound like in cube.
Practicing Silent e in Sentences
Reading Silent e words in sentences helps us notice how the vowel changes meaning.
- I hope to ride my bike.
- The cube is blue.
- She made a cake.
- He wrote a note.
- The mule is cute.
When you read, stop and notice how Silent e changes short vowel words into long vowel words.