SnapPhonics

cement

suh-MEHNT/sə.ˈmɛnt/noun
  1. nounA grey powder that you mix with water to make a hard material for building.

  2. nounThe thick paste you make by mixing that powder with water, or the hard rock-like material it becomes when it dries.

  3. verbTo stick something firmly in place with cement or glue.

  4. verbTo make a friendship or relationship stronger and more solid.

  5. nounSomething that joins people together, like trust or shared interests.

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Syllables

cement

2 syllables

Letters

Phonics breakdown

c

Phonics Rule: Soft C

C says /s/ before E, I, or Y, like in 'city' and 'face'.

When C comes before the letters E, I, or Y, it makes the soft /s/ sound instead of the hard /k/ sound. This is called 'Soft C'.

Tip

C is soft before E, I, Y — the city is nice!

Examples

e

Phonics Rule: Schwa

In unstressed syllables, vowels often make a lazy 'uh' sound called schwa, like the A in 'about'.

Schwa /ə/ is the most common vowel sound in English. Any vowel letter can make the schwa sound when it's in an unstressed syllable. It sounds like a quick, lazy 'uh'.

Tip

Schwa is lazy — any vowel can say 'uh' when it's not stressed!

Examples

ment

Phonics Rule: Suffix -MENT

The suffix -MENT turns a verb into a noun meaning the result or state of the action.

-MENT is a noun-forming suffix. It is added to verbs (move → movement, enjoy → enjoyment, treat → treatment). The -MENT syllable uses the schwa sound: /mənt/.

Tip

-MENT makes it a thing — move + ment = movement!

Examples

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.

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