SnapPhonics

constant

PronouncedKAHN-stuhnt

/ˈkɑn.stənt/adjective
  1. adjectiveSomething that stays the same and does not change.

  2. adjectiveHappening again and again in a steady way.

  3. nounA number or amount that does not change in a particular problem or experiment.

  4. adjectiveNot giving up or changing your mind about something.

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Syllables

constant

2 syllables

Letters

Word forms:

Phonics breakdown

c

Phonics Rule: Hard C

Sound“k”·/k/

C makes the /k/ sound before A, O, U, or a consonant, like in 'cat' and 'cup'.

The letter C makes the hard /k/ sound when followed by A, O, U, or a consonant. This is the default C sound. Examples: cat, cup, coat, cold, crab, class.

Tip

C says K before A, O, U — cat, cup, coat!

Examples

o

Phonics Rule: Short O

Sound“ah”·/ɑ/

The letter O makes a short sound, like in 'hot' and 'dog'.

When the letter O appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short O sound “ah”. In American English, this sounds like 'ah'.

Tip

O says “ah” like 'Ahh!' said the doctor.

Examples

n

Phonics Rule: Letter N

Sound“n”·/n/

The letter N makes the /n/ sound, like in 'net', 'nap', and 'nut'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.

N is a voiced alveolar nasal — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while voice hums through the nose. It is one of the most common consonants in English.

Tip

N hums through the nose — say /n/ and feel the buzz!

Examples

st

Phonics Rule: ST Blend

Sound“st”·/st/

S and T blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'stop' and 'fast'.

The blend ST combines /s/ and /t/ spoken quickly together. It can appear at the beginning or end of a word.

Examples

a

Phonics Rule: Schwa

Sound“uh”·/ə/

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

Schwa “uh” 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

nt

Phonics Rule: NT End Blend

Sound“nt”·/nt/

NT at the end of a syllable blends /n/ and /t/ together, like in 'tent', 'mint', and 'want'.

NT is a very common end blend. The nasal /n/ flows into the stop /t/. In fast speech the /t/ is sometimes barely voiced, but both sounds are present.

Tip

NT tents up at the end — tent, mint, hunt!

Examples

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