The "mommy e" rule, also known as the silent e rule, explains how a silent 'e' at the end of a word can change the sound of the vowel within that word.
Explanation of the "Mommy E" Rule
According to the provided reference, the "mommy e" rule centers around the effect of a silent 'e' on a vowel sound within a word. When the "mommy" (the letter 'e') is present at the end of the word, the preceding vowel tends to make its long sound (it says its name). When the 'e' is absent, the vowel makes its short, lazy sound.
How it Works
- Presence of 'e': When a word ends in a silent 'e' (the "mommy e"), the vowel before it usually makes its long sound.
- Absence of 'e': If the 'e' is not present, the vowel typically makes its short sound.
Examples
Here are some examples to illustrate the rule:
| Word without 'e' | Vowel Sound | Word with 'e' | Vowel Sound | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| grat | Short a | grate | Long a | Adding the "mommy e" changes the 'a' sound from short (like in "apple") to long (like in "ape"). |
In the example from the reference, the word "grat" becomes "grate" when the "mommy e" is added. Without the 'e', the 'a' says its short, lazy sound. When the 'e' is added, the 'a' says its name (long 'a').
