Sounding out a word you have never seen
Break the word into sounds, say them in order, then push them together.
One sound at a time
Look at the word from left to right and say each sound on its own. For cat that is c, a, t.
Then say them again, faster, until they run together into the word.
Keep each sound short. It is "c", not "cuh" — otherwise the word turns into cuh-a-tuh and stops sounding like anything.
Some sounds are two letters
Sh, ch, th, ck and ng are each two letters making one sound. Your mouth does one thing, not two.
So ship has four letters but only three sounds: sh, i, p. Counting letters instead of sounds is what makes these words feel harder than they are.
Check it sounds like a word
When you have pushed the sounds together, ask yourself whether what came out is a word you have heard before.
If it is not, go back. Usually a letter was skipped, or one was given the wrong sound.
Two letters can share one sound
Chip has four letters and three sounds. The c and the h are not two sounds stuck together — they make one sound, ch.
The pairs worth knowing are ch, sh, th, ph, ck and ng, and the vowel pairs like ai, ee, oa and oo. When you see one, treat it as a single block.
That is why counting letters and counting sounds give different answers, and why the sound count is the one that matters when you meet a new word.
Blend it, do not chop it
Saying "cuh-a-tuh" gives three separate noises that never turn into cat. The extra "uh" on the end of each is what gets in the way.
Make each sound as short as you can and run them together: c-a-t, said quickly, is cat.
If a word will not come, say it faster rather than slower. Slowing down pulls the sounds further apart, which is the opposite of what blending needs.
Worked examples
Sound out the word hop.
Three letters, three sounds: h, o, p. Now faster, running them together: hop.
Answer: hop
How many sounds are in the word chip?
Ch is two letters but one sound, then i, then p. That is three sounds in four letters.
Answer: 3
A child sounds out s-t-o-p and says "suh-tuh-o-puh". What went wrong?
The sounds were made too long. Each one picked up an extra "uh" on the end, so they will not run together. Say s, t, o, p short and sharp, then push.
Answer: The sounds were too long
How many sounds are in the word duck?
D, then u, then ck — which is one sound, not two. Three sounds in four letters.
Answer: 3
How many sounds are in the word ship?
The s and h make one sound, sh. Then i, then p. Four letters, three sounds.
Answer: 3
How many sounds are in the word train?
t, r, then ai as one sound, then n. Five letters, four sounds.
Answer: 4
A child says "duh-o-guh" and cannot hear dog. What should they change?
The extra "uh" after each sound is what breaks it. Make each sound short and run them together faster.
Answer: Cut the "uh" and blend faster
kalvy.io/learn/sounding-out-words
Ready to try it?
Practice questions on Letters and Sounds, with instant feedback. Free account.
Already have an account? Sign in to practise.