In a vowel team syllable, what is a typical pattern?

• A. First vowel is long, second vowel is silent
• B. Second vowel is long, first vowel is silent
• C. Both vowels are long
• D. Both vowels are silent

Answer: (A)

Vowel team syllables carry two vowels together to make one sound. The most common pattern you’ll see is that the first vowel carries the long-vowel sound and the second vowel stays silent, so you hear one extended vowel sound.

Examples show this clearly: rain (ai) gives the long “a” sound with the second vowel not spoken; boat (oa) gives the long “o” with the second vowel silent; bead or leaf (ea) gives a long “e” sound with the second letter silent. This pattern explains why the first vowel is long and the second is not pronounced in many vowel-team spellings.