encourage
Pronouncedehn-KER-ihj
To tell someone they can do something and make them feel brave or confident about trying.
Syllables
3 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Short E
Sound“eh”·/ɛ/
The letter E makes a short sound, like in 'bed' and 'red'.
When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound “eh”. This is often confused with short I by new readers.
Tip
E says “eh” like an egg on your head.
Examples
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
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
Phonics Rule: OUR says “er”
Sound“er”·/ɜːr/
OUR can make the “er” sound (like 'er' in 'her'), in 'journey' and 'courage'.
In a few words OUR says the “er” sound (same as ER, IR, UR): journey, courage, nourish, flourish, courteous.
Tip
A journey takes courage — journey, courage!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Suffix -AGE
Sound“ij”·/ɪdʒ/
In many words -AGE says “ij”, like in 'village' and 'message'.
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.)
Tip
A message in the village — -AGE says “ij”!
Examples
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