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== Spelling patterns ==
{{see also|Help:IPA for English}}

=== Spelling-to-sound correspondences ===

==== Vowels ====

{|
|-
|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ [[General American]]
! Letter
! Lax
! Tense
! Heavy
! Tense-R
|-
! a
| {{IPAslink|æ}}<br>''man'' || {{IPAslink|eɪ}} <br>''mán'' || {{IPAslink|ɑ}} <br>''mar'' || {{IPAslink|ɛ}} <br>''már''
|-
! e
| {{IPAslink|ɛ}} <br>''met'' || {{IPAslink|i}} <br>''mét'' || {{IPAslink|ɜ}} <br>''hir'' || {{IPAslink|ɪ}} <br>''hér''
|-
! i
| {{IPAslink|ɪ}} <br>''win'' || {{IPAslink|aɪ}} <br>''wín'' || {{IPAslink|ɜ}} <br>''fir'' || {{IPAslink|aɪ}} <br>''fír''
|-
! o
| {{IPAslink|ɑ}} <br>''mop'' || {{IPAslink|oʊ}} <br>''móp'' || colspan="2" | {{IPAslink|ɔ}} <br>''for, fór''
|-
! u
| {{IPAslink|ʌ}} <br>''hug'' || {{IPA|/ju/}} <br>''húj'' || {{IPAslink|ɜ}} <br>''kur'' || {{IPAc-en|j|ʊ}} <br>''kúr''
|-
! u
| {{IPAslink|ʊ}} <br>''pûx'' || {{IPAslink|u}} <br>''rúd'' || colspan="2" |{{IPAslink|ʊ}} <br>''sûr, xúr''
|}
||
|}

==== Combinations of vowel letters ====

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan=2 | Spelling || Major value<br>([[Help:IPA for English|IPA]]) || Examples of major value || Minor values<br>([[Help:IPA for English|IPA]]) || Examples of minor value || Exceptions{{clarify| reason = the difference between "minor values" and "exceptions" is not always terribly clear and would benefit from some explanation|date=October 2011}}
|-
| rowspan=10 | '''a''' ||

* before multiple consonants
* final vowel in word
* followed by 2 or more <br>unstressed syllables
* next syllable contains {{IPA|/ɨ/}}

| | {{IPA|/æ/}} || h'''a'''cet, b'''a'''ner, m'''a'''ry <br> akrob'''a'''t, k'''a'''t <br> n'''a'''sional, k'''a'''mera, re'''a'''lity <br> <br> '''a'''rid, gr'''a'''nit, p'''a'''las || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} || '''á'''k, b'''á'''s, c'''á'''mber<br><br>n'''á'''sionhûd || {{IPA|/i/}} kar'''a'''óke <br> {{IPA|/ɑː/}} f'''â'''ðer <br> {{IPA|/ɒ/}} y'''o'''t
|-
|
* before -nge, -ste
* before single consonant
* before cons + (-le or r+vowel)
* before heterosyllabic vowel

| | {{IPA|/eɪ/}} || ar'''á'''nj, w'''á'''st<br>gr'''á'''s, f'''á'''mos, víol'''á'''t<br>t'''á'''bl, h'''á'''tred, '''Á'''pril<br>k'''á'''os, '''á'''orta || {{IPA|/ɛ/}}<br>{{IPA|/æ/}}<br>{{IPA|/ɨ/}} || m'''e'''ny, '''e'''ny <br> m'''a'''nor, h'''a'''v <br> cokol'''a'''t, or'''a'''nj || {{IPA|/ɑː/}} g'''â'''la, son'''â'''ta
|-
| before final r or r + cons.<br>(and in derived terms) || {{IPA|/ɑː/}} || b'''a'''r, k'''a'''rt<br>b'''a'''rd, m'''a'''ring || || || {{IPA|/ɛə/}} sk'''á'''rs
|-
| before r + vowel || {{IPA|/ɛə/}} || unk'''á'''ring, w'''á'''ry, v'''á'''rios, gl'''á'''r || {{IPA|/æ/}} || P'''a'''ris || {{IPA|/ɑː/}} '''a'''r
|-
| word-final || {{IPA|/ə/}} || lemm'''a''', banan'''a''' || || || {{IPA|/i/}} bolón'''e'''
|-
| in word-final -ary || {{IPA|/ɛ/}} || ordin'''e'''ry, neses'''e'''ry || || ||
|-
| after {{IPA|/w/}} except before {{IPA|/k/}}, {{IPA|/ɡ/}}, {{IPA|/ŋ/}} || {{IPA|/ɒ/}} || w'''o'''c, w'''o'''rior, kw'''o'''ntity || {{IPA|/æ/}} || kw'''a'''ngo ||
|-
| after {{IPA|/w/}} before final r or r + cons. || {{IPA|/ɔː/}} || w'''o'''rning, dw'''o'''rf, w'''o'''r || || ||
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ə/}} || '''a'''nuðer, '''a'''bout, wûm'''a'''n || Ø || artistik'''a'''lly ||
|-
| unstressed, in -age || {{IPA|/ɨ/}} || dam'''a'''j, bond'''a'''j || || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''aa, ah''' || {{IPA|/ɑː/}} || b'''â''', bl'''â''' || || || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} kw'''á'''lúd
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''ae (æ)''' || usually || {{IPA|/iː/}} || ensíklóp'''é'''dia, p'''é'''diatrisian || {{IPA|/ɛ/}} || '''e'''sþetik || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} reg'''ai''' <br>{{IPA|/aɪ/}} m'''ei'''stro
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɛə/}} || '''e'''rial, '''e'''róplán || || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''ai, ay''' || stressed || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} || b'''ai'''t, kók'''ai'''n, d'''ai''' || {{IPA|/ɛ/}}<br>{{IPA|/aɪ/}} || s'''e'''d, ag'''e'''n, s'''e'''z<br>samûr'''ei''', k'''ei'''ak, '''ei''' || {{IPA|/æ/}} pl'''a'''d <br> {{IPA|/iː/}} k'''e'''
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɛə/}} || k'''ai'''rn, milion'''ai'''r, d'''ai'''ry || || ||
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ɨ/}} || barg'''a'''n, mount'''a'''n || {{IPA|/ə/}} || Brit'''a'''n ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''ao''' || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} || j'''ai'''l || {{IPA|/aʊ/}} || T'''ou'''izm || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} fár'''o'''
|-
| colspan=2 | '''au, aw''' || {{IPA|/ɔː/}} || t'''au'''t, '''au'''þor, l'''au'''n, || {{IPA|/ɒ/}}<br>{{IPA|/ɑː/}} || s'''o'''saj, bek'''o'''z, l'''o'''rel<br>'''â'''nt, dr'''â'''ft, l'''â'''f || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} g'''á'''j<br>{{IPA|/oʊ/}} m'''ó'''v
|-
| rowspan=7 | '''e''' ||

* before single consonant
* before cons + (-le or r+vowel)
* final, only vowel in word
* final, Greek loans
* before heterosyllabic vowel

| | {{IPA|/iː/}} || res'''é'''ding, d'''é'''tail, j'''é'''n<br>m'''é'''tr, s'''é'''kret<br>b'''e''', x'''e''' <br> simil'''e''', katastrof'''e'''<br>n'''é'''on || {{IPA|/eɪ/}}<br> {{IPA|/ɛ/}}<br>Ø || úkul'''á'''le, kaf'''ai''', cr'''á'''p <br> m'''e'''tal, l'''e'''mon, h'''e'''ron<br>lívlihûd, fátfûl ||
|-
|
* before multiple consonants
* final vowel in word
* followed by 2 or more <br>unstressed syllables
* next syllable contains {{IPA|/ɪ/}}

| | {{IPA|/ɛ/}} || b'''e'''ter, f'''e'''c, m'''e'''ry <br>g'''e'''t, wauterx'''e'''d<br>l'''e'''gasy, '''e'''legant, d'''e'''likat<br><br>kr'''e'''vis, p'''e'''rix, '''e'''piknes || {{IPA|/iː/}} || l'''é'''þal<br>aks'''é'''z (plural of ''aksis'')<br>l'''é'''gally<br><br>'''é'''vil || {{IPA|/ɪ/}} pr'''i'''ty
|-
| before final r or r + cons.<br>(and in derived terms) || {{IPA|/ɜː/}} || h'''ir'''d, k'''ir'''b, ref'''i'''ral || {{IPA|/ɑː/}} || kl'''a'''rk, s'''a'''rjant ||
|-
| before r + vowel || {{IPA|/ɪə/}} || s'''é'''rios, s'''é'''réz, h'''é'''r || {{IPA|/ɛə/}}<br>{{IPA|/ɛ/}} || ð'''e'''rfór, w'''e'''rwûlf<br>v'''e'''ry || {{IPA|/ɜː/}} w'''i'''r
|-
| word-final || Ø || mát, disiplin, starv<br>plág || {{IPA|/iː/}} || recip'''e''' ||
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ɨ/}} || hac'''e'''t, targ'''e'''t, pó'''e'''t || {{IPA|/ə/}} || ták'''e'''n, dés'''e'''nsy, móm'''e'''nt ||
|-
| usd, before heterosyllabic vowel || {{IPA|/i/}} || cr'''e'''áte, ár'''é'''a, áþ'''é'''ist, hid'''é'''os || || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''ea''' || usually || {{IPA|/iː/}} || b'''é'''c, '''é'''ting, pl'''é'''z || {{IPA|/ɛ/}} || br'''e'''d, h'''e'''lþy, kl'''e'''nz || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} br'''ai'''k, gr'''ai'''t, st'''ai'''k
|-
| before r + cons. || {{IPA|/ɜː/}} || '''i'''rþ, l'''i'''rn, '''i'''rly || {{IPA|/ɑː/}} || h'''a'''rty, h'''a'''rþ || {{IPA|/ɪə/}} b'''é'''rd
|-
| before final r or r + vowel<br>(and in derived terms) || {{IPA|/ɪə/}} || kl'''é'''r, h'''é'''ring, y'''é'''rly || {{IPA|/ɛə/}} || b'''e'''r, p'''e'''r, sw'''e'''r ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''eau''' || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} || búr'''o''', plat'''o''', tabl'''o''' || {{IPA|/juː/}} || b'''eu'''ty || {{IPA|/ɒ/}} búr'''o'''krasy
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''ee''' || usually || {{IPA|/iː/}} || b'''ee''', f'''ee'''d || || || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} matin'''ai''', fions'''ai'''
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɪə/}} || c'''ee'''ring, b'''ee'''r, '''ee'''ry || || ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | '''ei, ey''' || usually || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} || v'''ai'''l, r'''ai'''n, ób'''ai''' || {{IPA|/iː/}}<br>{{IPA|/aɪ/}} || s'''é'''z, k'''e''', g'''é'''zer<br>h'''ei'''t, h'''ei'''st, gn'''ei'''s || {{IPA|/ɛ/}} h'''e'''fer, l'''e'''zúr<br>{{IPA|/aɪ/}} '''ei'''
|-
| after c || {{IPA|/iː/}} || des'''é'''v, s'''é'''ling, kons'''é'''t || || ||
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɛə/}} || '''ai'''r, ð'''ai'''r || {{IPA|/ɪə/}} || w'''é'''rd, w'''é'''r, '''é'''ry ||
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ɨ/}} || for'''e'''n, kounterf'''e'''t || || ||
|-
| unstressed, word-final || {{IPA|/i/}} || munk'''e''', kurts'''e''', jerz'''e''' || || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''eo''' || {{IPA|/ɛ/}} || l'''e'''pard, j'''e'''parde || {{IPA|/iː/}} || p'''é'''pl || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} y'''ó'''man<br>{{IPA|/ɪə/}} l'''eo'''tard
|-
| rowspan=4 | '''eu(e), '''<br> '''ew(e), '''<br> '''ieu, '''<br>'''iew''' || usually || {{IPA|/juː/}} || f'''eu'''dal, k'''eu''', d'''eu''', <br>'''eu''', l'''eu''', v'''eu''' || || || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} s'''o''', sh'''o'''<br>{{IPA|/ɛf/}} l'''ef'''tenant
|-
| after {{IPA|/r/}}, {{IPA|/ʃ/}}, {{IPA|/ʒ/}}, {{IPA|/j/}}, cons. + {{IPA|/l/}} || {{IPA|/uː/}} || r'''eu'''matizm, j'''eu'''el, bl'''eu''' || || ||
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/jʊə/}} || amat'''eu'''r, n'''eu'''ral, N'''eu'''ry || || ||
|-
| both of the above || {{IPA|/ʊə/}} || J'''eu'''ry, pl'''eu'''risy || || ||
|-
| rowspan=6 | '''i''' ||

* before single consonant
* before cons + (-le or r+vowel)
* before -nd, -ld, -gh, -gn
* word-final
* before heterosyllabic vowel

| | {{IPA|/aɪ/}} || x'''í'''n, s'''í'''ted, g'''í'''d<br>t'''í'''tl, '''í'''dl, v'''í'''brant<br> w'''í'''ld, k'''í'''nd, s'''í'''d, ens'''í'''n<br> alumn'''i''', alib'''i''', rádi'''i'''<br>v'''í'''al, kw'''í'''et, pr'''í'''or, p'''í'''os || {{IPA|/ɪ/}} || p'''i'''vot, g'''i'''v, enj'''i'''n<br><br> w'''i'''nd (one meaning)<br> || {{IPA|/iː/}} max'''é'''n, sk'''y'''
|-
|
* before multiple consonants
* final vowel in word
* followed by 2 or more <br>unstressed syllables
* next syllable contains {{IPA|/ɪ/}}
* before cons. + e/i + vowel

| | {{IPA|/ɪ/}} || h'''i'''c, f'''i'''dl, m'''i'''ror <br> b'''i'''t <br>s'''i'''nema, l'''i'''berty, m'''i'''litery <br> <br> f'''i'''nix, sp'''i'''rit, m'''i'''nut<br>h'''i'''deos, poz'''i'''sion, S'''i'''rius || {{IPA|/aɪ/}} || p'''í'''nt, n'''í'''nþ <br> <br> s'''í'''lently <br> <br> hw'''í'''tix <br> || {{IPA|/æ/}} mer'''a'''ng <br>{{IPA|/iːɪ/}} sk'''y''' (sk'''i'''ing)
|-
| before final r or r + cons.<br>(and in derived terms) || {{IPA|/ɜː/}} || b'''i'''rd, f'''i'''r, st'''i'''rer || || || {{IPA|/ɪə/}} menh'''é'''r
|-
| before r + vowel || {{IPA|/aɪə/}} || h'''í'''r, f'''í'''ring, enkw'''í'''ry || || ||
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ɨ/}} || liv'''i'''d, tip'''i'''kal || {{IPA|/ə/}} || pens'''i'''l, cuz'''i'''n || Ø biz'''i'''nes
|-
| usd, before heterosyllabic vowel || {{IPA|/i/}} || famil'''i'''ar, ál'''i'''en, rád'''i'''i, id'''i'''ot || || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''{{not a typo|ie}}''' || finally || {{IPA|/aɪ/}} || d'''i''', t'''i''' || {{IPA|/i/}} || eer'''y''', self'''y''' ||
|-
| medially || {{IPA|/iː/}} || f'''é'''ld, sér'''é'''z, s'''é'''j || {{IPA|/aɪ/}} || fl'''í'''z, tr'''í'''z || {{IPA|/ɪ/}} s'''i'''v<br>{{IPA|/ɛ/}} fr'''e'''nd
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɪə/}} || p'''é'''r, f'''é'''rs, bulk'''ie'''r || || ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | '''o''' ||

* before multiple consonants
* final vowel in word
* followed by 2 or more <br>unstressed syllables
* next syllable contains {{IPA|/ɪ/}}

| | {{IPA|/ɒ/}} or {{IPA|/ɑː/}} || d'''o'''t, d'''o'''ktor, t'''o'''rent<br>'''o'''pera, k'''o'''loníz, kó'''o'''perát<br>t'''o'''pik, s'''o'''lid, pr'''o'''mis || {{IPA|/ʌ/}}<br>{{IPA|/oʊ/}}<br>{{IPA|/uː/}} || w'''u'''n, m'''u'''nke, fr'''u'''nt<br>gr'''ó'''s, k'''ó'''m, br'''ó'''kenly <br>t'''oo'''m, w'''oo'''m || {{IPA|/ʊ/}} w'''û'''lf
|-
|
* before single consonant
* before cons + (-le or r+vowel)
* word-final
* before heterosyllabic vowel<br>(inc. unstressed)

| | {{IPA|/oʊ/}} || '''ó'''men, gr'''ó'''v, t'''ó'''tal<br>n'''ó'''bl, k'''ó'''bra<br>banj'''o''', g'''o'''<br>b'''ó'''a, p'''ó'''et, st'''ó'''ik<br>k'''ó'''operát || {{IPA|/ɒ/}}<br>{{IPA|/uː/}}<br>{{IPA|/ʌ/}}<br>{{IPA|/ə/}} || m'''o'''ral, pr'''o'''per, x'''o'''n<br>t'''oo''', hw'''oo''', m'''oo'''v, l'''oo'''z<br>k'''u'''m, l'''u'''v, d'''u'''n<br>purp'''o'''s, Eur'''o'''p || {{IPA|/ʊ/}} w'''û'''man<br>{{IPA|/ɪ/}} w'''i'''men
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɔə/}} || f'''o'''rd, b'''ó'''ring, m'''ó'''r || {{IPA|/ɔ/}} || f'''o'''r, m'''o'''rning ||
|-
| after w, before r || {{IPA|/ɜː/}} || w'''u'''rd, w'''u'''rk, w'''u'''rst || || || {{IPA|/ɔə/}} w'''o'''rn
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ə/}} || el'''o'''kwent, wont'''o'''n, auþ'''o'''r || || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''oa''' || usually || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} || b'''ó'''t, k'''ó'''l, l'''ó'''d || || || {{IPA|/ɔː/}} br'''au'''d
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɔə/}} || b'''ó'''r, k'''ó'''rs || || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''oe (œ)''' || usually || {{IPA|/iː/}} || am'''é'''ba, s'''é'''lakanþ, f'''é'''niks || || ||
|-
| finally || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} || t'''o''', f'''o''' || {{IPA|/uː/}} || x'''oo''', kan'''oo''' || {{IPA|/ʌ/}} d'''u'''z
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ɪ/}} || '''e'''déma || || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''oeu''' || {{IPA|/uː/}} || man'''eu'''vr || || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''oi, oy''' || usually || {{IPA|/ɔɪ/}} || k'''oi'''n, b'''oi''' || || ||
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/wɑː/}} || rezerv'''wa'''r, mem'''wa'''r, repert'''wa'''r || {{IPA|/ɔɪə/}} || l'''oi'''r || {{IPA|/waɪə/}} kw'''ei'''r
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''oo''' || usually || {{IPA|/uː/}} || h'''oo'''p, b'''oo'''z || {{IPA|/ʊ/}} || w'''û'''l, f'''û'''t, s'''û'''t || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} br'''ó'''c
|-
| before k, d || {{IPA|/ʊ/}} || l'''û'''k, w'''û'''d || {{IPA|/uː/}} || f'''oo'''d, br'''oo'''d, sp'''oo'''k || {{IPA|/ʌ/}} bl'''u'''d, fl'''u'''d
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɔə/}} || d'''o'''r, m'''oo'''ring || {{IPA|/ʊə/}} || p'''oo'''r ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''ou''' || stressed || {{IPA|/aʊ/}} || '''ou'''t, al'''ou'''d, b'''ou''' || {{IPA|/uː/}}<br>{{IPA|/ʌ/}}<br>{{IPA|/oʊ/}} || s'''oo'''p, y'''oo''', þr'''oo'''<br>t'''u'''c, tr'''u'''bl, k'''u'''ntry<br>s'''ó'''l, d'''o''', b'''ó'''lder || {{IPA|/ʊ/}} k'''oo'''rier, x'''û'''d<br>{{IPA|/ɒ/}} k'''o'''f
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/ɔː/}} || t'''oo'''rist, kont'''oo'''r, p'''ó'''r || {{IPA|/aʊə/}}<br>{{IPA|/ɜː/}} || '''our''', '''ou'''r, dev'''ou'''r<br>j'''u'''rne, k'''u'''rteos, sk'''u'''rj || {{IPA|/ʊ/}} k'''oo'''rier<br>{{IPA|/ʌ/}} k'''u'''raj
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ə/}} || kam'''u'''flâzj, láb'''o'''r, nerv'''o'''s || || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''ow''' || stressed || {{IPA|/aʊ/}} || k'''ou''', s'''ou''', al'''ou''' || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} || kn'''o''', x'''o''' || {{IPA|/ɒ/}} akn'''o'''lej
|-
| before r || {{IPA|/aʊə/}} || d'''ou'''re || || ||
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} || yel'''o''', rainb'''o''', nar'''o''' || || ||
|-
| rowspan=8 | '''u''' ||

* before multiple consonants
* final vowel in word

| | {{IPA|/ʌ/}} || b'''u'''ter, d'''u'''mp, k'''u'''rent || {{IPA|/ʊ/}} || p'''û'''t, f'''û'''l, p'''û'''ding ||
|-
|
* before single consonant
* before cons + (-le or r+vowel)
* before heterosyllabic vowel<br>(inc. unstressed)
* word-final

| | {{IPA|/juː/}} || l'''ú'''minos, m'''ú'''t, t'''ú'''ba<br>b'''ú'''gl, r'''ú'''brik<br>d'''ú'''el, fat'''ú'''os, dr'''ú'''id, <br> Jan'''ú'''ary || {{IPA|/ʊ/}} || x'''û'''gar || {{IPA|/ɪ/}} b'''i'''zy
|-
| above after {{IPA|/r/}}, {{IPA|/ʃ/}}, {{IPA|/ʒ/}}, {{IPA|/j/}}, cons. + {{IPA|/l/}} || {{IPA|/uː/}} || r'''ú'''l, x'''ú'''t, J'''ú'''n, fl'''u'''<br>tr'''ú'''ant, fl'''ú'''ent, menstr'''u'''át || || ||
|-
| before final r or r + cons.<br>(and in derived terms) || {{IPA|/ɜː/}} || k'''u'''rdl, b'''u'''r, f'''u'''ry || || ||
|-
| before r + vowel || {{IPA|/jʊə/}} || l'''ú'''r, p'''ú'''rity, k'''ú'''ring || {{IPA|/jə/}} || fail'''ú'''r || {{IPA|/ɛ/}} b'''e'''ry
|-
| above after {{IPA|/r/}}, {{IPA|/ʃ/}}, {{IPA|/ʒ/}}, {{IPA|/j/}}, cons. + {{IPA|/l/}} || {{IPA|/ʊə/}} || r'''ú'''ral, j'''ú'''ry, pl'''ú'''ral || || ||
|-
| after g, before e, i || Ø || ges, disgíz, tung || {{IPA|/juː/}}<br>{{IPA|/w/}} || arg'''u''', ág'''u''' <br> ling'''w'''istiks, seg'''w'''ai ||
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ə/}} || s'''u'''pli || || || {{IPA|/ɨ/}} min'''u'''t, let'''u'''s
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''ue, ui''' || usually || {{IPA|/juː/}} || k'''u''', h'''u''', n'''ú'''sans || || || {{IPA|/weɪ/}} s'''wá'''d {{IPA|/wiː/}} s'''wé'''t <br> {{IPA|/ɪ/}} b'''i'''ld, bisk'''i'''t
|-
| above after {{IPA|/r/}}, {{IPA|/ʃ/}}, {{IPA|/ʒ/}}, {{IPA|/j/}}, cons. + {{IPA|/l/}} || {{IPA|/uː/}} || bl'''u''', tis'''u''', fr'''ú'''t, j'''ú'''s || || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''uy''' || {{IPA|/aɪ/}} || b'''ei''', g'''ei'''d || || ||
|-
| rowspan=6 | '''y''' ||

* before multiple consonants
* followed by 2 or more <br>unstressed syllables
* next syllable contains {{IPA|/ɪ/}}

| | {{IPA|/ɪ/}} || m'''i'''þ, kr'''i'''ptik<br>s'''i'''linder, t'''i'''pikal, p'''i'''ramid<br>s'''i'''nik || {{IPA|/aɪ/}} || h'''í'''fen, ps'''í'''ke <br>s'''í'''klikally ||
|-
|
* before single consonant
* before cons + (-le or r+vowel)
* word-final, stressed

| | {{IPA|/aɪ/}} || t'''í'''ping, st'''í'''l, paral'''í'''z<br>s'''í'''kl, s'''í'''pres<br>sk'''i''', supl'''i''', b'''i''' || || ||
|-
| before final r or r + cons.<br>(and in derived terms) || {{IPA|/ɜː/}} || m'''i'''rtl, m'''i'''r || || ||
|-
| before r + vowel || {{IPA|/aɪə/}} || l'''í'''r, t'''í'''rant, j'''í'''rát || || ||
|-
| unstressed || {{IPA|/ə/}} || sib'''i'''l, mart'''i'''r || || ||
|-
| unstressed, word-final || {{IPA|/i/}} || sit'''y''', hap'''y''' || || ||
|}

==== Consonants ====
{{See also|Digraph (orthography)}}

'''Notes''':

* In the tables, the hyphen has two different meanings. A hyphen after the letter indicates that it ''must'' be at the beginning of a ''syllable'', e.g. j- in jumper and ajar. A hyphen before the letter indicates that it ''cannot'' be at the beginning of a ''word'', e.g. -ck in sick and ticket.
* More specific rules take precedence over more general ones, e.g. "c- before e, i or y" takes precedence over "c".
* Where the letter combination is described as "word-final", [[inflection]]al suffixes may be added without changing the pronunciation, e.g. catalogue'''s'''.
* The dialect used is [[Received Pronunciation|RP]].
* Isolated foreign borrowings are excluded.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan=2 | Spelling || Major value ([[Help:IPA for English|IPA]]) || Examples of major value || Other values || Examples of other values
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''b, bb''' || usually || {{IPA|/b/}} || '''b'''it, ra'''b'''it, o'''b'''tain || Ø || '''b'''delium, detor, sutl
|-
| finally after m<br>(and in derived terms) || Ø || klím, kóm, numing || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''c''' || before e, i, y, ae, or oe || {{IPA|/s/}} || '''s'''elar, '''s'''ity, '''s'''ist, <br>fá'''s''', prin'''s''', ní'''s'''er<br>'''s'''ézium, '''s'''élakanþ || {{IPA|/tʃ/}}<br>{{IPA|/ʃ/}}<br>{{IPA|/k/}}<br>{{IPA|/ts/}} || '''c'''elo, vermi'''c'''ely<br>spe'''s'''ial, likori'''x''' <br>'''K'''eltz, xé'''k'''er<br>letóvi'''ts'''ít
|-
| initially before n, t || Ø || '''k'''nídárian, '''k'''ténoid || ||
|-
| elsewhere || {{IPA|/k/}} || '''k'''at, '''k'''ros || Ø || vi'''t'''al, indí'''t'''
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''cc''' || before e, i or y || {{IPA|/ks/}} || a'''ks'''ept, e'''ks'''entrik, o'''ks'''idental || {{IPA|/k/}}<br>{{IPA|/tʃ/}}<br>{{IPA|/s/}} || so'''k'''er, re'''k'''e, si'''k'''ing<br>bo'''c'''e, bre'''c'''ia, kapu'''c'''ino<br>fla'''s'''id
|-
| elsewhere || {{IPA|/k/}} || a'''k'''ount, a'''k'''ru, o'''k'''ur, yu'''k'''a || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''ch''' || usually || {{IPA|/tʃ/}} || '''c'''ás, '''c'''in, ata'''c'''d, '''c'''ór || {{IPA|/k/}}<br>{{IPA|/h/}}<br>Ø || á'''k'''d <br>'''kh'''ûtspa<br>yot
|-
| Greek-derived words || {{IPA|/k/}} || '''k'''azm, '''k'''íméra, '''k'''ord || ||
|-
| French-derived words || {{IPA|/ʃ/}} || '''x'''aiz, ma'''x'''én, ka'''x'''d, para'''x'''út || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''ck''' || {{IPA|/k/}} || ta'''k''', ti'''k'''et || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''d, dd, dh''' || {{IPA|/d/}} || '''d'''ív, la'''d'''er, jo'''d'''purs || {{IPA|/dʒ/}}<br>Ø || gra'''d'''uát, gra'''d'''ual (both also {{IPA|/dj/}} in RP)<br>Wenzdai, han'''d'''sum
|-
| colspan=2 | '''-dg-''' before e, i, or y || {{IPA|/dʒ/}} || lo'''j'''er, pi'''j'''in, e'''j'''y || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''f, -ff''' || {{IPA|/f/}} || '''f'''ín, o'''f''' || {{IPA|/v/}} || o'''v'''
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''g''' || before e, i, y, ae, or oe || {{IPA|/dʒ/}} || '''j'''entl, ma'''j'''ik, '''j'''írát,<br>pá'''j''', al'''j'''e ([[General American|GA]]) || {{IPA|/ɡ/}}<br>{{IPA|/ʒ/}} || '''g'''et, é'''g'''er, al'''g'''e ([[Received Pronunciation|RP]]) <br> kolâ'''zj''', '''zj'''ég
|-
| in -gm, gn- or -gn || Ø || díafram, '''gn'''óm, sí'''n'''ing, rai'''n''' || {{IPA|/ɡ/}} || si'''gn'''ify, repu'''gn'''ant
|-
| elsewhere || {{IPA|/ɡ/}} || '''g'''o, '''g'''rait, '''g'''est || {{IPA|/dʒ/}} || mar'''j'''arén
|-
| colspan=2 | '''gg''' || {{IPA|/ɡ/}} || sta'''g'''er, fla'''g'''ing || {{IPA|/dʒ/}} || su'''j'''est, ekza'''j'''erát
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''gh''' || initially || {{IPA|/ɡ/}} || '''g'''óst, '''g'''astly || ||
|-
| elsewhere || Ø || do, hi, rít, dauter || {{IPA|/f/}}<br>{{IPA|/x/}} or {{IPA|/k/}}<br>{{IPA|/ɡ/}}, {{IPA|/k/}}, or {{IPA|/x/}}<br>{{IPA|/p/}} || lâ'''f''', enu'''f'''<br> lo'''kh'''<br> û'''kh'''! <br> hiku'''p'''
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''h''' || usually || {{IPA|/h/}} || '''h'''e, alko'''h'''ol || Ø || véikl, onest, onor, pirân'''y'''a
|-
| after ex || Ø || ekzibit, ekzaust || {{IPA|/h/}} || eks'''h'''ál
|-
| colspan=2 | '''j'''- || {{IPA|/dʒ/}} || '''j'''ump, a'''j'''ar || {{IPA|/j/}}<br>{{IPA|/ʒ/}}<br>{{IPA|/h/}}<br>Ø || Halelú'''y'''a<br>'''Zj'''ân<br>'''h'''âlapéno, fa'''h'''ita<br>Mari'''h'''wâna
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''k, -kk, kh''' || usually || {{IPA|/k/}} || '''k'''e, bá'''k''', tre'''k'''ing, xai'''k''' || ||
|-
| initially before n || Ø || '''k'''nee, '''k'''nok || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''l, ll''' || {{IPA|/l/}} || '''l'''ín, va'''l'''v, va'''l'''e || Ø<br>{{IPA|/j/}} || hâv, ba'''u'''k, samon, torti'''y'''a<br>?
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''m, mm''' || usually || {{IPA|/m/}} || '''m'''ín, ha'''m'''er || ||
|-
| initially before n || Ø || '''mn'''emonik || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | '''n, nn''' || usually || {{IPA|/n/}} || '''n'''ís, fu'''n'''y || ||
|-
| before {{IPA|/k/}} or {{IPA|/ɡ/}} || {{IPA|/ŋ/}} || li'''n'''k, ba'''n'''gl, a'''n'''kor || ||
|-
| finally after m<br>(and in derived terms) || Ø || hi'''mn''', autu'''mn''' || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''ng''' || finally and in terms<br>derived from ng-final words || {{IPA|/ŋ/}} || lo'''ng''', ki'''ng'''ly, si'''ng'''er, kli'''ng'''y || ||
|-
| medially otherwise || {{IPA|/ŋɡ/}}<br>{{IPA|/ndʒ/}} || a'''ng'''er, fi'''ng'''er<br>dá'''nj'''er, ji'''nj'''er, di'''nj'''y || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''p, pp''' || usually || {{IPA|/p/}} || '''p'''il, ha'''p'''y, soo'''p''', kor'''p'''s, skri'''p'''t || Ø || koo, recét
|-
| initially before n, s, t || Ø || '''pn'''eumónia, '''ps'''íke, '''pt'''ómain || {{IPA|/p/}} || '''p'''st
|-
| colspan=2 | '''ph, pph''' || {{IPA|/f/}} || '''f'''ótogra'''f''', sa'''f'''ír || /v/ || Sté'''v'''en
|-
| colspan=2 | '''q''' (not before u) || {{IPA|/k/}} || Irâ'''k''', I'''k'''âluit || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''r, rr, rh, rrh''' || usually || {{IPA|/r/}} || '''r'''ai, pa'''r'''ot, '''r'''ím, día'''r'''ea || Ø || í'''r'''n
|-
|
* before consonant
* finally
* before final e

| | Ø in [[non-rhotic]]<br>dialects such as RP || ka'''r'''t, bu'''r''', fi'''r''', ká'''r''', wauke'''r''', té'''r''', hu'''r'''t || ||
|-
| colspan=7 | See below for combinations of vowel letters and the letter r
|-
| rowspan=4 | '''s, ss''' || usually || {{IPA|/s/}} || '''s'''ong, a'''s'''k, me'''s'''aj, mi'''s'''led || {{IPA|/z/}}<br>{{IPA|/ʃ/}}<br>{{IPA|/ʒ/}}<br>Ø || si'''z'''orz, de'''z'''ert, di'''z'''olv, I'''s'''lâm<br>'''x'''ûgar, ti'''s'''u, agre'''s'''ion<br> vi'''z'''ion<br>ílet, eil, dábre
|-
| -s- between vowel sounds<br>(see also "se" below) || {{IPA|/z/}} || ró'''z''', pri'''z'''on || {{IPA|/s/}} || bá'''s'''is
|-
| word-final -s [[morpheme]]<br>after a [[voiceless]] sound || {{IPA|/s/}} || pet'''z''', xop'''z''' || ||
|-
| word-final -s [[morpheme]]<br>after a [[lenis]] sound || {{IPA|/z/}} || bed'''z''', magazén'''z''' || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''sc'''- before e, i or y || {{IPA|/s/}} || '''s'''én, '''s'''epter, '''s'''izorz, '''s'''íð || {{IPA|/sk/}} <br>{{IPA|/ʃ/}} || '''sk'''eptik, '''sk'''irus<br> fa'''x'''izm
|-
| colspan=2 | '''sch-''' || {{IPA|/sk/}} || '''sk'''ool, '''sk'''ém, '''sk'''itso || {{IPA|/ʃ/}}<br>{{IPA|/s/}} || '''x'''edúl (in RP, otherwise: {{IPA|/sk/}}), '''x'''ist<br> '''s'''izm (in RP, otherwise: {{IPA|/sk/}})
|-
| colspan=2 | '''sh''' || {{IPA|/ʃ/}} || '''x'''in, fa'''x'''ion || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''t, -tt''' || usually || {{IPA|/t/}} || '''t'''en, bi'''t'''er,<br>ka'''t'''íon,<br>cás'''t''', wole'''t''' || {{IPA|/ʃ/}}<br>{{IPA|/tʃ/}}<br>{{IPA|/d/}}<br>Ø || ra'''s'''io, Mar'''s'''ian<br>kwes'''t'''ion, bas'''t'''ion<br>kindergar'''t'''en<br>kasl, cásen, balai
|-
| in unstressed -sten, -stle, -ften || Ø || lisen, rusl, sofen || {{IPA|/t/}} || tungs'''t'''en, ekzis'''t'''ent ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''-tch''' || {{IPA|/tʃ/}} || ba'''c''', ki'''c'''en || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''[[Pronunciation of English th|th]]''' || {{IPA|/θ/}} <br>{{IPA|/ð/}} || '''þ'''in, bó'''þ''',<br>'''ð'''e, bo'''ð'''erz || {{IPA|/t/}} <br>{{IPA|/tθ/}}<br>{{IPA|/th/}}<br>Ø<br> || '''t'''ím<br> ai'''tþ'''<br>ou'''th'''ous, po'''th'''erb<br>asma
|-
| colspan=2 | '''v, -vv''' || {{IPA|/v/}} || '''v'''ín, sa'''v'''y || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''w''' || {{IPA|/w/}} || s'''w'''ord, s'''w'''erve, '''w'''ál || Ø<br>{{IPA|/uː/}}<br>{{IPA|/v/}} || t'''w'''oo, sord, anser, gunel<br>k'''oo'''m<br>'''V'''eltanxouûng
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''wh-''' || usually || {{IPA|/w/}} or {{IPA|/hw/}} in Hiberno-Eng. and Southern Am. Eng. || '''hw'''eel || ||
|-
| before o || {{IPA|/h/}} or {{IPA|/hw/}} in Hiberno-Eng. and Southern Am. Eng. || '''hw'''oo, '''hw'''ól || {{IPA|/w/}} || '''hw'''oping, '''hw'''url
|-
| colspan=2 | '''wr-''' || {{IPA|/r/}} or {{IPA|/wr/}} in Scottish Eng. || '''wr'''ong, '''wr'''ist || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''x''' || initially || {{IPA|/z/}} || '''kz'''ílofón || ||
|-
| elsewhere || {{IPA|/ks/}} || e'''ks'''tent, e'''ks'''kúz, a'''ks''' || {{IPA|/ɡz/}}<br>{{IPA|/ɡʒ/}}<br>{{IPA|/kʃ/}}<br>Ø || e'''kz'''it (in some pronunciations)<br>lu'''kz'''úry (in some pronunciations)<br>an'''ks'''ios<br>fópâ
|-
| colspan=2 | '''-xc''' before e or i || {{IPA|/ks/}} || e'''ks'''elent, e'''ks'''íted || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''y'''- || {{IPA|/j/}} || '''y'''es, '''y'''ung || ||
|-
| colspan=2 | '''z, -zz''' || {{IPA|/z/}} || '''z'''oo, pi'''z'''a'''z''' || {{IPA|/ts/}}<br>Ø || ski'''ts'''ófrenik, pé'''ts'''a<br>rondevoo
|}

{| class="wikitable"
! Spelling || Major value<br>([[Help:IPA for English|IPA]]) || Examples of major value || Minor values<br>([[Help:IPA for English|IPA]]) || Examples of minor value || Exceptions
|-
| ayer, ayor || {{IPA|/ɛə(r)/}} || l'''aier''', m'''aior''' || || ||
|-
| ower || {{IPA|/aʊər/}} || d'''our'''y, t'''ouer''', fl'''ouer'''y || ||
|}

==== Combinations of other consonant and vowel letters ====

{| class="wikitable"
! Spelling || Major value<br>([[Help:IPA for English|IPA]]) || Examples of major value || Minor values<br>([[Help:IPA for English|IPA]]) || Examples of minor value || Exceptions
|-
| ah || {{IPA|/ɑː/}} || bl'''â''' || || ||
|-
| al || {{IPA|/æl/}} || p'''al''', t'''al'''kum, '''al'''je, '''al'''p || {{IPA|/ɔːl/}} || b'''aul'''d, f'''aul'''kon ||
|-
| alf || {{IPA|/ɑːf/}} (RP)<br>{{IPA|/æf/}} (GA) || k'''âf''', h'''âf''' || {{IPA|/æl/}} || '''alfalf'''a, m'''alf'''ézans || {{IPA|/ɔlf/}} p'''aulf'''re
|-
| alk || {{IPA|/ɔːk/}} || w'''auk''', c'''auk'''ing, t'''auk'''ativ || {{IPA|/ælk/}} || '''alk'''alín, grim'''alk'''in || {{IPA|/ɔlk/}} b'''aulk'''aníz
|-
| all || {{IPA|/ɔːl/}}<br>{{IPA|/æl/}} || k'''aul''', f'''aul'''out, sm'''aul'''er<br> x'''al''', k'''al'''us, f'''al'''o || {{IPA|/ɒl/}}<br>{{IPA|/(ə)l/}} || w'''ol'''et, sw'''ol'''o<br>'''al'''ou, dí'''al'''d || {{IPA|/ɛl/}} (GA) marxm'''al'''o, p'''al'''-m'''al'''
|-
| alm || {{IPA|/ɑːm/}} (all three examples have alt. pronunc.) || k'''âm''' (also: {{IPA|/ɑːlm/}}), '''âm'''ond (also: {{IPA|/ælm/}}), p'''âm'''istry (also: {{IPA|/ɑːlm/}}) || {{IPA|/ælm/}}<br>{{IPA|/ɔːlm/}} || d'''alm'''ásian, s'''alm'''onela<br>'''aulm'''anak (also: {{IPA|/ælm/}}), '''aulm'''óst || {{IPA|/æm/}} s'''am'''on<br>{{IPA|/(ə)lm/}} sign'''alm'''an
|-
| alt || {{IPA|/ɒlt/}} (RP)<br>{{IPA|/ɔːlt/}} (GA) || '''ault'''er, m'''ault''', s'''ault'''y, bas'''ault''' || {{IPA|/ælt/}}<br>{{IPA|/ɔːlt/}} || '''alt'''o, x'''alt''', s'''alt'''ásion<br>'''ault'''ar, asf'''ault''' || {{IPA|/ɑlt/}} gext'''âlt''' (GA)<br>{{IPA|/(ə)lt/}} roi'''alt'''y, pen'''alt'''y
|-
| aoh, oh || {{IPA|/oʊ/}} || fár'''o''', '''o''' || || ||
|-
| unstressed ci- before a vowel || {{IPA|/ʃ/}} || spe'''si'''al, grá'''si'''os || {{IPA|/si/}} || spé'''si'''éz ||
|-
| -cqu || {{IPA|/kw/}} || a'''kw'''aint, a'''kw'''ír || {{IPA|/k/}} || la'''k'''er, ra'''k'''et ||
|-
| word-final -ed [[morpheme]]<br>after /t/ or /d/* || {{IPA|/ɨd/}} || wait'''ed''' || || ||
|-
| word-final -ed [[morpheme]]<br>after a [[voiceless]] sound* || {{IPA|/t/}} || top'''d''', surf'''d''' || {{IPA|/ɛd/}} || bíp'''ed''', unf'''ed''' ||
|-
| word-final -ed [[morpheme]]<br>after a [[Fortis and lenis|lenis]] sound* || {{IPA|/d/}} || clím'''d''', fail'''d''', order'''d''' || {{IPA|/ɛd/}} || imb'''ed''', misl'''ed''', infrar'''ed''' ||
|-
| eh || {{IPA|/eɪ/}} || '''ai''' || || ||
|-
| word-final -es [[morpheme]]** || {{IPA|/ɨz/}} || wox'''ez''', boks'''ez''' || || ||
|-
| unstressed ex- before a vowel or h || {{IPA|/ɨɡz/}} || '''ekz'''ist, '''ekz'''amin, '''ekz'''aust || {{IPA|/ɛks/}} || '''eks'''hál ||
|-
| gu- before a || {{IPA|/ɡw/}} || bílin'''gw'''al, '''gw'''âno, lan'''gw'''aj || {{IPA|/ɡ/}} || '''g'''ard, '''g'''arantee ||
|-
| word-final -le after a consonant || {{IPA|/əl/}} || lit'''l''', táb'''l''' || || ||
|-
| -(a)isle || {{IPA|/aɪəl/}} || '''eil''', '''íl''', en'''íl''', l'''íl''' || || ||
|-
| word-final -ngue || {{IPA|/ŋ/}} || tu'''ng''', hara'''ng''', mera'''ng''' (dessert) || {{IPA|/ŋɡeɪ/}} || de'''ngai''' (also {{IPA|/ŋɡi/}}), disten'''gai''', mere'''ngai''' (music/dance) ||
|-
| old || {{IPA|/oʊld/}} || blíndf'''óld''', '''óld'''er, b'''óld''' || {{IPA|/əld/}} || scaf'''óld''', kob'''óld''' (also {{IPA|/ɒld/}} ||
|-
| olk || {{IPA|/oʊk/}} || y'''ók''', f'''ók''' || || ||
|-
| oll || {{IPA|/ɒl/}} || d'''ol''', f'''ol'''o, k'''ol''', h'''ol'''er || {{IPA|/oʊl/}} || r'''ól''', str'''ól'''er, p'''ól'''ing, t'''ól'''way ||
|-
| olm || {{IPA|/ɒlm/}} || '''olm''', d'''olm'''en || {{IPA|/oʊlm/}} || enr'''ólm'''ent, h'''ólm'''ium || {{IPA|/oʊm/}} h'''óm''' (oak)
|-
| ong || {{IPA|/ɒŋ/}} (RP)<br> {{IPA|/ɔːŋ/}} (GA) || wr'''ong''', str'''ong''', s'''ong''' || {{IPA|/ɒŋ/}} || K'''ong'''res, k'''ong'''regásion ||
|-
| qu- || {{IPA|/kw/}} || '''kw'''een, '''kw'''ik || {{IPA|/k/}} || li'''k'''or, mos'''k'''éto ||
|-
| quar- before consonant || {{IPA|/kwɔː(r)/}} || '''kwor'''ter, '''kwor'''t || || ||
|-
| word-final -que || {{IPA|/k/}} || mos'''k''', bis'''k''' || {{IPA|/keɪ/}} || ris'''kai''' || {{IPA|/kjuː/}} barbe'''ku'''
|-
| word-final -re after a consonant || {{IPA|/ər/}} || óg'''r''' || || ||
|-
| ro || {{IPA|/rɒ/}} || '''ro'''d || {{IPA|/roʊ/}} || '''ró'''l || {{IPA|/ə(r)/}} í'''r'''n
|-
| unstressed sci- before a vowel || {{IPA|/tʃ/}} || kon'''si'''ens ({{IPA|/ʃ/}} in RP) || {{IPA|/si/}} || omni'''si'''ent (RP only) ||
|-
| sci- (stressed) || {{IPA|/saɪ/}} || '''sí'''ens || || ||
|-
| -scle || {{IPA|/səl/}} || korpu'''sl''', mu'''sl''' || || ||
|-
| -se (noun) || {{IPA|/s/}} || hou'''s''', mou'''s''' || || ||
|-
| -se (verb) || {{IPA|/z/}} || hou'''z''', rai'''z''' || {{IPA|/s/}} || cá'''s''' ||
|-
| unstressed -si before a vowel || {{IPA|/ʃ/}} || ekspan'''si'''on || {{IPA|/ʒ/}} || divi'''zi'''on, ilú'''zi'''on || {{IPA|/zi/}} fi'''zi'''olojy, bi'''zi'''er, sé'''zi'''um<br>flim'''zi'''est<br>{{IPA|/si/}} tar'''si'''er
|-
| unstressed -ssi before a vowel || {{IPA|/ʃ/}} || mi'''si'''on || {{IPA|/si/}} || pota'''si'''um, do'''si'''ai ||
|-
| unstressed -sure || {{IPA|/ʒər/}} || le'''zúr''', tre'''zúr''' || || ||
|-
| unstressed -ti before a vowel || {{IPA|/ʃ/}} || ná'''si'''on, ambi'''si'''os || {{IPA|/ʒ/}} || ekwá'''zi'''on || {{IPA|/ti/}} pa'''ti'''o, {{IPA|/taɪ/}} ca'''tí'''on
|-
| unstressed -ture || {{IPA|/tʃər/}} || ná'''túr''', pik'''túr''' || || ||
|-
| unstressed -zure || {{IPA|/ʒər/}} || sé'''zúr''', a'''zúr''' || || ||
|}

<small>Small text</small> indicates rare words. Loans words: <small>'''SP'''</small> for Spanish, <small>'''FR'''</small> for French.

=== Sound to spelling correspondences ===

The following table shows for each sound, the various spelling patterns used to denote it. The symbol "…" stands for an intervening consonant. The letter sequences are in order of frequency with the most common first. Some of these patterns are very rare or unique, such as ''au'' for the {{IPA|[æ]}} sound in ''laugh'' (some accents). In some cases, the spellings shown are found in only one known English word (such as "mh" for {{IPA|/m/}}, or "yrrh" for {{IPA|/ɜr/}}).

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="3" | Consonants
|-
! width=5% | [[Help:IPA for English|IPA]] || width=35% | Spelling || width=60% | Examples
|-
| {{IPA|/p/}} || p, pp, gh || '''p'''ill, ha'''pp'''y, hiccou'''gh'''
|-
| {{IPA|/b/}} || b, bb || '''b'''it, ra'''bb'''it
|-
| {{IPA|/t/}} || t, tt, ed, pt, th, ct || '''t'''en, hi'''tt'''er, topp'''ed''', '''pt'''erodactyl, '''th'''yme, '''ct'''enoid
|-
| {{IPA|/d/}} || d, dd, ed, dh, t (in some dialects), tt (in some dialects) || '''d'''ive, la'''dd'''er, fail'''ed''', '''dh'''arma, wai'''t'''er, fla'''tt'''er
|-
| {{IPA|/ɡ/}} || g, gg, gue, gh || '''g'''o, sta'''gg'''er, catalo'''gue''', '''gh'''ost
|-
| {{IPA|/k/}} || c, k, ck, ch, cc, qu, cqu, cu, que, kk, kh, q, x (changing its/ks/ sound into its /k/ sound) || '''c'''at, '''k'''ey, ta'''ck''', '''ch'''ord, a'''cc'''ount, li'''qu'''or, a'''cqu'''is, bis'''cu'''it, mos'''que''', tre'''kk'''er, '''kh'''an, bur'''q'''a, e'''x'''citement
|-
| {{IPA|/m/}} || m, mm, mb, mn, mh, gm, chm || '''m'''ine, ha'''mm'''er, cli'''mb''', hy'''mn''', '''mh'''o, diaphra'''gm''', dra'''chm'''
|-
| {{IPA|/n/}} || n, nn, kn, gn, pn, nh, cn, mn || '''n'''ice, fu'''nn'''y, '''kn'''ee, '''gn'''ome, '''pn'''eumonia, pira'''nh'''a, '''cn'''idarian, '''mn'''emonic
|-
| {{IPA|/ŋ/}} || ng, n, ngue || si'''ng''', li'''n'''k, to'''ngue'''
|-
| {{IPA|/r/}} || r, rr, wr, rh, rrh || '''r'''ay, pa'''rr'''ot, '''wr'''ong, '''rh'''yme, dia'''rrh'''(o)ea
|-
| {{IPA|/f/}} || f, ph, ff, gh, pph, u || '''f'''ine, '''ph'''ysical, o'''ff''', lau'''gh''', sa'''pph'''ire, lie'''u'''tenant&nbsp; (Br)
|-
| {{IPA|/v/}} || v, vv, f, ph, w || '''v'''ine, sa'''vv'''y, o'''f''', Ste'''ph'''en, '''w'''eltanschauung
|-
| {{IPA|/θ/}} || th, chth, phth, tth, fth (in some dialects) || '''th'''in, '''chth'''onic, '''phth'''isis, Ma'''tth'''ew, twel'''fth'''
|-
| {{IPA|/ð/}} || th, the || '''th'''em, brea'''the'''
|-
| {{IPA|/s/}} || s, c, ss, sc, st, ps, sch (in some dialects), cc, se, ce, z (in some dialects) || '''s'''ong, '''c'''ity, me'''ss''', '''sc'''ene, li'''st'''en, '''ps'''ychology, '''sch'''ism, fla'''cc'''id, hor'''se''', jui'''ce''', citi'''z'''en
|-
| {{IPA|/z/}} || s, z, x, zz, ss, ze, c (in some dialects) || ha'''s''', '''z'''oo, '''x'''ylophone, fu'''zz''', sci'''ss'''ors, bree'''ze''', electri'''c'''ity
|-
| {{IPA|/ʃ/}} || sh, ti, ci, ssi, si, ss, ch, s, sci, ce, sch, sc || '''sh'''in, na'''ti'''on, spe'''ci'''al, mi'''ssi'''on, expan'''si'''on, ti'''ss'''ue, ma'''ch'''ine, '''s'''ugar, con'''sci'''ence, o'''ce'''an, '''sch'''mooze, cre'''sc'''endo
|-
| {{IPA|/ʒ/}} || si, s, g, z, j, ti, sh (in some dialects) || divi'''si'''on, lei'''s'''ure, '''g'''enre, sei'''z'''ure, '''j'''eté, equa'''ti'''on, Per'''sh'''ing
|-
| {{IPA|/tʃ/}} || ch, t, tch, ti, c, cc, tsch, cz || '''ch'''in, na'''t'''ure, ba'''tch''', bas'''ti'''on (some accents), '''c'''ello, bo'''cc'''e, pu'''tsch''', '''Cz'''ech
|-
| {{IPA|/dʒ/}} || g, j, dg, dge, d, di, gi, ge, gg || ma'''g'''ic, '''j'''ump, ju'''dg'''ment, bri'''dge''', gra'''d'''uate, sol'''di'''er, Bel'''gi'''an, dun'''ge'''on, exa'''gg'''erate
|-
| {{IPA|/h/}} || h, wh, j, ch, x || '''h'''e, '''wh'''o, fa'''j'''ita, '''ch'''utzpah, Qui'''x'''ote
|-
| {{IPA|/j/}} || y, i, j, ll, e || '''y'''es, on'''i'''on, hallelu'''j'''ah, torti'''ll'''a, '''e'''oarchean
|-
| {{IPA|/l/}} || l, ll, lh || '''l'''ine, ha'''ll'''o, '''Lh'''asa
|-
| {{IPA|/w/}} || w, u, o, ou, wh (in most dialects) || '''w'''e, pers'''u'''ade, ch'''o'''ir, '''Ou'''ija board, '''wh'''at
|-
| {{IPA|/hw/}} || wh (in Hiberno-Eng. and Southern Am. Eng.) || '''wh'''eel
|-
| {{IPA|/wr/}} || wr (in Scottish Eng.) || '''wr'''en
|}

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="3" | Vowels
|-
! width=5% | [[Help:IPA for English|IPA]] || width=35% | Spelling || width=60% | Examples
|-
| {{IPA|/iː/}} || e, ea, ee, e…e, ae, ei, i…e, {{not a typo|ie}}, eo, oe, ie...e, ay, ey, i, y, oi, ue, ey, a || b'''e''', b'''ea'''ch, b'''ee''', c'''e'''d'''e''', C'''ae'''sar, dec'''ei'''t, mach'''i'''n'''e''', f'''ie'''ld, p'''eo'''ple, am'''oe'''ba (variant of ameba), hyg'''ie'''n'''e''', qu'''ay''' (RP only; {{IPA|/eɪ/}} in GA), k'''ey''', sk'''i''', cit'''y''', cham'''oi'''s, Portug'''ue'''se, g'''ey'''ser (RP only; {{IPA|/aɪ/}} in GA), kar'''a'''oke
|-
| {{IPA|/ɪ/}} || i, y, ui, e, ee, {{not a typo|ie}}, o, u, a, ei, ee, ia, ea, i...e, ai, ii, oe || b'''i'''t, m'''y'''th, b'''ui'''ld, pr'''e'''tty, b'''ee'''n (some accents), s'''ie'''ve, w'''o'''men, b'''u'''sy, dam'''a'''ge, counterf'''ei'''t, carr'''ia'''ge, mil'''ea'''ge, medic'''i'''n'''e''', barg'''ai'''n, sh'''ii'''take, '''oe'''dema
|-
| {{IPA|/uː/}} || oo, u, o, u…e, ou, ew, ue, o…e, ui, eu, oeu, oe, ough, wo, ioux, ieu, oup, w, u || t'''oo'''l, l'''u'''minous, wh'''o''', fl'''u'''t'''e''', s'''ou'''p, j'''ew'''el, tr'''ue''', l'''o'''s'''e''', fr'''ui'''t, man'''eu'''ver, man'''oeu'''vre (Br. variant of prec.), can'''oe''', thr'''ough''' (form. variant of "thru"), t'''wo''', S'''ioux''', l'''ieu'''tenant&nbsp; (GA), c'''oup''', c'''w'''m, thr'''u''' (inf.)
|-
| {{IPA|/ʊ/}} || oo, u, o, oo...e, or, ou, oul || l'''oo'''k, f'''u'''ll, w'''o'''lf, g'''oo'''s'''e'''berry, w'''or'''sted, c'''ou'''rier, sh'''oul'''d
|-
| {{IPA|/eɪ/}} || a, a…e, aa, ae, ai, ai...e, aig, aigh, al, ao, au, ay, e (é), e...e, ea, {{not a typo|eg}}, ei, ei...e, eig, eigh, ee (ée), eh, er, es, et, ey, ez, {{not a typo|ie}}, oeh, ue, uet || b'''a'''ss, r'''a'''t'''e''', qu'''aa'''lude, regg'''ae''', r'''ai'''n, coc'''ai'''n'''e''', arr'''aig'''n, str'''aigh'''t, R'''al'''ph&nbsp; (dated Br.), g'''ao'''l&nbsp; (Australian var. of "jail"), g'''au'''ge (var. of gage), p'''ay''', ukul'''e'''le (caf'''é'''), cr'''e'''p'''e''', st'''ea'''k, th'''{{not a typo|eg}}'''n, v'''ei'''l, b'''ei'''g'''e''', r'''eig'''n, '''eigh'''t, matin'''ee''' (soir'''ée'''), '''eh''', dossi'''er''', dem'''es'''ne, ball'''et''', ob'''ey''', ch'''ez''', linger'''ie'''&nbsp; (US), b'''oeh'''mite (also: {{IPA|/oʊ/}}), deng'''ue''' (usually: {{IPA|/i/}}), sobriq'''uet''' (also: {{IPA|/ɛt/}}; var. of "soubriquet")
|-
| {{IPA|/ə/}} || a, e, o, u, ai, ou, eig, y, ah, ough, ae, oi || '''a'''nother, anth'''e'''m, awes'''o'''me, atri'''u'''m, mount'''ai'''n, call'''ou'''s, for'''eig'''n, ber'''y'''l, Messi'''ah''', bor'''ough'''&nbsp; (Br), Mich'''ae'''l, porp'''oi'''se
|-
| {{IPA|/oʊ/}} || o, o…e, oa, ow, ou, oe, oo, eau, oh, ew, au, aoh, ough, eo || s'''o''', b'''o'''n'''e''', b'''oa'''t, kn'''ow''', s'''ou'''l, f'''oe''', br'''oo'''ch, b'''eau''', '''oh''', s'''ew''', m'''au'''ve, phar'''aoh''', furl'''ough''', y'''eo'''man
|-
| {{IPA|/ɛ/}} || e, ea, a, ae, ai, ay, ea…e, ei, eo, {{not a typo|ie}}, ieu, u, ue, oe || m'''e'''t, w'''ea'''ther, m'''a'''ny, '''ae'''sthetic, s'''ai'''d, s'''ay'''s, cl'''ea'''ns'''e''', h'''ei'''fer, j'''eo'''pardy, fr'''ie'''nd, l'''ieu'''tenant&nbsp; (Br), b'''u'''ry, g'''ue'''ss, f'''oe'''tid
|-
| {{IPA|/æ/}} || a, ai, al, au, i || h'''a'''nd, pl'''ai'''d, s'''al'''mon, l'''au'''gh (some accents), mer'''i'''ngue
|-
| {{IPA|/ʌ/}} || u, o, o…e, oe, ou, oo, wo || s'''u'''n, s'''o'''n, c'''o'''m'''e''', d'''oe'''s, t'''ou'''ch, fl'''oo'''d, t'''wo'''pence
|-
| {{IPA|/ɔː/}} || a, au, aw, ough, augh, o, oa, oo, al, uo, u, ao || f'''a'''ll, '''au'''thor, j'''aw''', b'''ough'''t, c'''augh'''t, c'''o'''rd, br'''oa'''d, d'''oo'''r, w'''al'''k, fl'''uo'''rine&nbsp; (Br), s'''u'''re&nbsp; (some accents), extr'''ao'''rdinary
|-
| {{IPA|/ɒ/}} || o, a, eau, ach, au, ou || l'''o'''ck, w'''a'''tch, bur'''eau'''cracy, y'''ach'''t, s'''au'''sage, c'''ou'''gh
|-
| {{IPA|/ɑː/}} || a, ah, aa, i || f'''a'''ther, bl'''ah''', b'''aa''', l'''i'''ngerie&nbsp; (US)
|-
| {{IPA|/aɪ/}}
| | ae, ai, aie, aille, ais, ay, aye, ei, eigh, ey, eye, i, i…e, ia, {{not a typo|ie}}, ic, ig, igh, is, oi, ui, uy, uye, y, y...e, ye
| | m'''ae'''stro, kr'''ai'''t, shangh'''aie'''d, can'''aille''' (RP), '''ais'''le, k'''ay'''ak, '''aye''', h'''ei'''st, h'''eigh'''t, g'''ey'''ser (US), '''eye''', m'''i'''c, f'''i'''n'''e''', d'''ia'''per, t'''ie''', ind'''ic'''t, s'''ig'''n, h'''igh''', '''is'''le, ch'''oi'''r, g'''ui'''de, b'''uy''', g'''uye'''d, tr'''y'''st, t'''y'''p'''e''', b'''ye'''
|-
| {{IPA|/ɔɪ/}} || oi, oy, awy, uoy oy…e, eu || f'''oi'''l, t'''oy''', l'''awy'''er, b'''uoy''', garg'''oy'''l'''e''', Fr'''eu'''dian
|-
| {{IPA|/aʊ/}} || ou, ow, ough, au, ao || '''ou'''t, n'''ow''', b'''ough''', t'''au''', T'''ao'''ism
|-
| {{IPA|/ɑr/}} || aar, ar, are, arre, ear, er, our, uar, arrh || baz'''aa'''r, c'''ar''', '''are''', biz'''arre''', h'''ear'''t, s'''er'''geant, '''ou'''r&nbsp; (some accents), g'''uar'''d, cat'''arrh'''
|-
| {{IPA|/ɛər/}} || aar, aer, air, aire, ar, are, ayer, ayor, ear, eir, er, ere, err, erre, ey're, e'er || '''Aar'''on, '''aer'''ial, h'''air''', million'''aire''', w'''are''', v'''ar'''y, pr'''ayer''', m'''ayor''', b'''ear''', h'''eir''', station'''er'''y (some accents), wh'''ere''', '''err''' (variant), part'''erre''', th'''ey're''', '''e'er'''
|-
| {{IPA|/ɪər/}} || ear, eer, eir, eor, ere, ers, e're, ier, iere, ir || '''ear''', b'''eer''', w'''eir''', th'''eor'''y&nbsp; (US), h'''ere''', rev'''ers''', w'''e're''', p'''ier''', prem'''iere''', menh'''ir'''
|-
| {{IPA|/ɜr/}} || er, or, ur, ir, yr, our, ear, err, eur, yrrh, ar, oeu, olo || f'''er'''n, w'''or'''st, t'''ur'''n, th'''ir'''st, m'''yr'''tle, j'''our'''ney, '''ear'''th, '''err''', amat'''eur''', m'''yrrh''', gramm'''ar''', hors d''''oeu'''vre, c'''olo'''nel
|-
| {{IPA|/juː/}} || u, u…e, eu, ue, iew, eau, ieu, ueue, ui, ewe, ew || m'''u'''sic*, '''u'''s'''e''', f'''eu'''d, c'''ue''', v'''iew''', b'''eau'''tiful*, ad'''ieu'''*, q'''ueue''', n'''ui'''sance*, '''ewe''', f'''ew''', * in some dialects, see [[yod-dropping]]
|}