ERer
R-Controlled ER
When R comes after E, it makes the “er” sound, like in 'her' and 'fern'.
How this rule works
ER makes the same sound as IR and UR — they all say “er”. ER is the most common spelling of this sound, especially at the end of words.
Remember: ER, IR, and UR all sound the same — Bossy R wins again!
Examples
Words that use this rule
253 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds. Showing the first 200 alphabetically.
afterafterlifeafternoonalertalternativeansweredansweringassertivebetterbitternessbotheredbumbershootburgersbutterbutterflycameracentercenterscertaincharacteristiccharactersclerkclevercommercialcommercializationcommonersconcernconcertconfederacyconfederateconsiderableconsideredconversationcooperationcoppercornercornerstonecounteredcounterfeitingcovercoveredcoveringcucumbersdangerdangerousderiveddesertdinnerdiscovereddispersedditheringeagernessemergeemergencyemergingemperorsenergeticenergyengenderingenterenteredenteringenterpriseentertainentertainmenterevereveryexerciseextraterrestrialfatherfather'sfathersfeatherfederalfernfeverfingerflibbertigibbetflowerflowersfosteringfunerarygatheringgeneralgenerationgenerationsgenerousgergermgermanygersgingergovernancegovernmentgrandfathershammerheadquarteredherherbherdhersheterogeneousinteractioninteractiveinteragencyintermediateinternationalinternationallyinterpretationinterpretiveinterventioninterventionsiterationjerkknickersladderlawyersleadersleatherletterletterslibertyliteracylowermannermattermergemillimetersmodernmothermother'smultilateralmysterynervenervousnevernorthernnumbernumbersnumerousobservationobserveobservesobstreperousobverseofferoperateoperationorderorderedotherothersoveroverseeoverseeingownerspaperpaperspatternpatternspepperperperambulateperceivepercentperceptionperfectperfectionperformanceperformativityperhapsperkpermissionpermitpersonperspectiveperspicaciousplayerspowerpowerfulpreferpremodernpreservepreservespreservingproliferationproperpropertyregistersrememberrememberedrenderedreservationreservereverseriverrogersrubberscenery
Exceptions
ER, IR, and UR all make the same sound /ɜːr/.
What is SnapPhonics?
A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.
Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.