What is the short a sound?
The short a sound is the vowel sound you hear in words like cat and hat. It sounds like /ă/, as in “apple.”
- cat
- hat
- map
Say the word out loud. If the a sounds like the a in apple, it is a short a sound.
How do we spell short a words?
Short a words are usually spelled with the letter a between consonants.
- c + a + t → cat
- b + a + t → bat
- m + a + n → man
Many short a words follow a consonant–vowel–consonant (CVC) pattern.
Common short a words
These are common words that use the short a sound. Learning them will help you read and spell better.
- cat
- bat
- cap
- bag
- jam
- fan
- rat
Practice reading these words every day to remember how the short a sounds.
Using short a words in sentences
Short a words can be used in sentences to help you understand their meaning.
- The cat sat on the mat.
- I have a red cap.
- The man has a bag.
When spelling a word, listen for the vowel sound you hear in the middle.
Checking your spelling
You can check your spelling by sounding out each letter in the word.
- Say the word slowly: c-a-t
- Listen for the short a sound
- Write the word and read it again
If the word sounds right and has the short a sound, your spelling is likely correct.