-AGEij
Suffix -AGE
In many words -AGE says “ij”, like in 'village' and 'message'.
How this rule works
When -AGE is an unstressed ending, it sounds like “ij” — village, message, cottage, package, manage, courage. (In words like 'age', 'cage', and 'stage' the A says long A — those are different.)
Remember: A message in the village — -AGE says “ij”!
Examples
Words that use this rule
23 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
Exceptions
When -age is stressed it says /eɪdʒ/ (age, cage, page, stage).
What is SnapPhonics?
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