Split digraphs (Magic E)
You learn how a split digraph (final silent e) transforms a short vowel into a long vowel sound.
How to write it
When an e is at the end of the word, it makes the vowel before it say its long name: a_e (cake), i_e (time), o_e (stone), u_e (flute).
A worked example
Blow out the candles on your birthday ___. (magic e)
- Without e, c-a-k would say /kæk/.
- Adding the silent e makes the a say /eɪ/: c-a-k-e.
- You spell cake.
More examples
He skipped a flat ___ across the lake. (magic e)
- The vowel says its name /oʊ/: ston + e.
- The silent e makes the o long.
- You spell stone.
She played a sweet tune on her ___. (magic e)
- The vowel sound is long /uː/: flut + e.
- The final e creates the split digraph u_e.
- You spell flute.
Try it yourself
magic e
What ___ does start in the morning?
magic e
A sweet purple ___ grew on the vine.
Watch out
Forgetting the silent e at the end, writing cak instead of cake or tim instead of time.
If the vowel says its alphabet name (a, e, i, o, u), look for the final magic e.
Tips
- Split digraphs always have one consonant between the vowel and the e (a_e, i_e, o_e, u_e).
Why it works
A silent e at the end reaches back over the single consonant to change the vowel sound from short (cap, hop, kit, tub) to long (cape, hope, kite, tube).