EAeh
EA Vowel Team (Short E)
Sometimes EA makes the short E sound, like in 'bread' and 'head'.
How this rule works
In some common words, 'ea' makes the short E sound “eh” instead of the expected long E. These words need to be memorized since there's no reliable rule to predict when EA says short E.
Remember: Bread, head, dead — EA says “eh” instead!
Examples
Words that use this rule
62 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
aheadalreadybreadbreakfastbreathbreathlesscleanlinesscleanserdeaddeafdeafnessdeathdreaddreadfulendeavorendeavorsfeathergingerbreadheadheadacheheadingheadlessheadquarteredheadsheadscarfhealthhealthyheavenheavenlyheavyinsteadleadleathermeadowmeantmeasurepeasantpleasurereadreadinessreadyrealmspreadspreadingspreadsheetsteadsweatsweaterthreadthreadsthreatthreatstreadtreasuretreasuredtreasuryunhealthyunpleasantwealthweaponweatherwellhead
Exceptions
This is the less common pronunciation of EA. Most EA words say long E.
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