Vowel Sound Prediction Cheat Sheet: When to Use Long vs Short Vowels

English vowels can seem unpredictable, but they actually follow patterns that work about 80% of the time. This cheat sheet gives you a decision flowchart to predict vowel sounds, plus quick references to all the rules in one place.

Bookmark this page and use it whenever you encounter a new word!

The Decision Flowchart

When you see a vowel in a word, follow these steps in order:

Quick Reference: The 5 Short Vowel Sounds

Short vowels occur in closed syllables (syllables ending with a consonant).

→ Full guide: Short vs Long Vowels

Quick Reference: The 5 Long Vowel Sounds

Long vowels "say their name" and occur in open syllables, VCE patterns, and vowel teams.

The Three Main Long Vowel Patterns

Pattern 1: Silent E (VCE)

Vowel + Consonant + silent E = Long vowel

→ Full guide: The Magic of Silent E

Pattern 2: Open Syllables

When a syllable ends with a vowel (no consonant after), the vowel is long.

→ Full guide: Syllable Division Rules

Pattern 3: Vowel Teams

Two vowels together usually make one sound (often long).

→ Full guide: Vowel Teams and Digraphs

Special Rule: I and O Before Consonant Clusters

I and O often stay long before -ND, -LD, -ST, -LT:

Exceptions: wind (air), hint, cost, lost, soft

→ Full guide: I and O Before Two Consonants

The Exception List: Words to Memorize

These common words break the rules. Memorize them:

VCE Words with Short Vowels (Should Be Long, But Aren't)

Open Syllable Words with Unexpected Sounds

Y as a Vowel: Quick Rules

Print-Friendly Flowchart

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           VOWEL SOUND DECISION TREE             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                      │
                      ▼
        ┌─────────────────────────┐
        │  Is there a vowel team? │
        │    (ai, ee, oa, ea...)  │
        └─────────────────────────┘
              │             │
            YES            NO
              │             │
              ▼             ▼
     Use vowel team   ┌─────────────────────┐
     sound pattern    │ Is there silent E   │
                      │ at the end? (VCE)   │
                      └─────────────────────┘
                            │           │
                          YES          NO
                            │           │
                            ▼           ▼
                      LONG VOWEL   ┌─────────────────┐
                                   │ Open syllable?  │
                                   │ (ends in vowel) │
                                   └─────────────────┘
                                         │         │
                                       YES        NO
                                         │         │
                                         ▼         ▼
                                   LONG VOWEL  ┌────────────────┐
                                               │ Before -ND,    │
                                               │ -LD, -ST, -LT? │
                                               └────────────────┘
                                                    │        │
                                                  YES       NO
                                                    │        │
                                                    ▼        ▼
                                              Often LONG  SHORT VOWEL
                                              (check      (closed
                                              exceptions)  syllable)

Practice: Test Yourself

Use the flowchart to predict these vowel sounds:

1. train → Vowel team (ai) → Long A /eɪ/ ✓
2. hope → VCE pattern → Long O /oʊ/ ✓
3. cat → Closed syllable → Short A /æ/ ✓
4. kind → Before -ND → Long I /aɪ/ ✓
5. me → Open syllable → Long E /iː/ ✓

Now try these (answers at bottom):

1. boat
2. fish
3. home
4. cold
5. happy

Answers: 1) Long O (vowel team oa), 2) Short I (closed syllable), 3) Long O (VCE), 4) Long O (-old pattern), 5) Short A + Long E (closed syllable + Y ending)

Related Guides

For deeper understanding, explore these detailed guides:

• Short vs Long Vowels: The Foundation
• The Magic of Silent E
• Vowel Teams and Digraphs
• Syllable Division Rules
• I and O Before Two Consonants
• The Schwa Sound
• R-Controlled Vowels

The Bottom Line

English vowel pronunciation follows patterns about 80% of the time. The remaining 20% are high-frequency exceptions that need to be memorized. Use this flowchart as your starting point, and you'll be right most of the time.

Remember: When in doubt, check a dictionary! Every dictionary shows pronunciation in IPA, which removes all guesswork.