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E (head, said) Sound with “ea” and “ai” Spellings Multisyllable Word List

By Rodney Everson

This list has all multisyllable words in the database that contain any alternative spellings of the /e/ sound. They are arranged both by spelling and by the chunk that the spelling occurs. It can be a valuable resource for locating words to illustrate a certain pattern or to find words to practice reading that pattern.

Of the 7,000 words in the database constructed from a popular children’s dictionary, 52 of them are multisyllable words containing an alternative spelling of the vowel sound /e/. The two alternative spellings of the /e/ sound are "ea" and "ai".

Note on the word divisions: Each word is divided into chunks determined by the unique and effective OnTrack Reading Multisyllable Method. The chunks are not syllables.

Also, the OnTrack Reading curriculum emphasizes forming a “perfect pronunciation” of a word for spelling purposes where it is possible. In the case of the words using the "ai" spelling of the /e/ sound (again, mountain), it is useful to think of the "ai" spelling as representing the /ae/ sound that it usually does (as in train).

Otr wordlists cover digital

Comprehensive Word Lists

Features over 100 word lists built from 7,000 words input from a children's dictionary. Lists are organized by vowel and consonant sounds and cover most common spellings. Useful in the classroom for building curriculum aids such as short stories that emphasize specific sounds and spellings. Multisyllable words are also included, chunked according to the method taught in the OnTrack Reading Advanced Code Phonics Workbook.