IRer
R-Controlled IR
When R comes after I, it makes the “er” sound, like in 'bird' and 'first'.
How this rule works
IR makes the same “er” sound as ER and UR. There's no difference in pronunciation — only in spelling.
Remember: The bird in a shirt says “er”!
Examples
Words that use this rule
51 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
admirationaffirmaffirmingbirdbirdsbirthbirthdaycheshirechirpcirclecirclingcirculationconfirmconfirmeddirectdirectiondirectlydirtdirtyfirmfirmlyfirmnessfirstfirstlygiraffegirlgirl'sgirlfriendgirlsmirageredirectrequiredshirtshirtssirskirtsquirmstirstirredstirsswirlswirlingthirdthirstthirstythirteentwirlvirtuevirtuositywhirlwhirldwind
What is SnapPhonics?
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