digraph and blends chart

less than a minute read 06-09-2024

Understanding how sounds combine in the English language is crucial for reading and pronunciation. Two important concepts in phonetics are digraphs and blends. This article will explore both concepts, providing a clear definition and examples, followed by a useful chart to visualize these combinations.

What is a Digraph?

A digraph is a combination of two letters that together represent a single sound (phoneme). These can be made up of either vowels or consonants. The key feature of a digraph is that when the two letters are combined, they produce a sound that is different from the sounds of the individual letters.

Examples of Digraphs:

ch as in church
sh as in ship
th as in think
ph as in phone
wh as in whale

What is a Blend?

A blend, on the other hand, is a combination of two or more consonants where each sound is heard, maintaining their individual sounds. Unlike digraphs, the sounds in a blend can be heard distinctly.

Examples of Blends:

br as in brush
cl as in clock
st as in star
sl as in slide
tr as in train

Digraphs and Blends Chart

Here’s a simple chart to help visualize digraphs and blends:

Type	Letters	Example Word	Sound
Digraph	ch	church	/ch/
Digraph	sh	ship	/sh/
Digraph	th	think	/th/
Digraph	ph	phone	/f/
Blend	br	brush	/b/ + /r/
Blend	cl	clock	/k/ + /l/
Blend	st	star	/s/ + /t/
Blend	sl	slide	/s/ + /l/
Blend	tr	train	/t/ + /r/

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between digraphs and blends is essential for mastering phonetics and improving reading skills. By recognizing these combinations, learners can enhance their pronunciation and decoding abilities, leading to greater proficiency in the English language. Use the chart as a reference to practice and familiarize yourself with these critical sound pairs.