The “Short A”

“a”

/æ/

The “Short E” to the “Short A”

  1. Say the “short e”: /ɛ/ (like in “pet”)
  2. Widen your lips slightly
  3. Drop your jaw slightly
  4. Say the “short a”: /æ/ (like in “pat”)
  • Create the sound at the front of your mouth
  • The front of your tongue is quite forward, and just behind your lower front teeth.
  • Usually spelled with just the letter “a” in CVC (consonant / vowel / consonant) blends. For example: cat, path, chance etc.
    • Examples of just VC blends: Alice, act, ask etc.