A compilation of words containing a silent ‘e’ at the end, preceded by a consonant and a vowel, demonstrates the long vowel sound effect. For example, the word “cane” features the long ‘a’ sound, whereas “can” uses the short ‘a’ sound. These lists serve as valuable resources for educators and learners.
Mastery of this orthographic convention is fundamental for reading and spelling development in English. It provides a predictable pattern for decoding and encoding words, improving literacy skills. Historically, these silent ‘e’ patterns evolved from Middle English pronunciation shifts, where the final ‘e’ was once vocalized. Understanding this historical context can provide further insight into the complexity of English orthography. Such compilations facilitate vocabulary acquisition and promote accurate pronunciation.