SnapPhonics

errors

PronouncedEH-rerz

/ˈɛ.rərz/noun
  1. nounMore than one mistake, or something done wrong by accident.

  2. nounThe quality or state of being wrong or incorrect.

  3. nounThe difference between what a measurement shows and what it should really be.

  4. nounPlays in baseball that are scored as having been made incorrectly.

  5. nounChanges that happen by accident in the DNA code when cells copy themselves.

  6. nounMistakes in how someone uses a language they are learning as a second language.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

errors

2 syllables

Letters

Base word

error

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

e

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

rr

Phonics Rule: Double Consonant

Sound“one sound”

Two of the same consonant together make just one sound, like the LL in 'ball' or TT in 'butter'.

When two identical consonants appear together, they make just one consonant sound, and the doubling signals a short vowel before it. A common case is the FLOSS rule: a one-syllable word with a short vowel doubles a final f, l, s, or z (off, ball, miss, buzz). Examples: ball, butter, happy, mitten, egg, off.

Tip

Double consonants make one sound — ball, butter, egg!

Examples

or

Phonics Rule: R-Controlled OR

Sound“or”·/ɔːr/

When R comes after O, it makes the “or” sound, like in 'for' and 'corn'.

OR makes the “or” sound. Unlike ER, IR, UR which all sound the same, OR has its own distinct sound. The companion rule r_controlled_or_er covers the “er” pronunciation after W (word, work).

Tip

OR — the horse in the corner says “or”!

Examples

s

Phonics Rule: Plural -S (/z/ sound)

Sound“z”·/z/

After a buzzing sound or a vowel, the plural ending says /z/ — like 'dogs' and 'shoes'.

Put a finger on your throat and say 'zzzz' — you feel a buzz. When the word ends in a buzzing (voiced) sound or a vowel, the plural ending buzzes too and says /z/. This happens whether the word is spelled -s (dogs) or -es (shoes, trees), because in shoes the e is silent and only the s is sounded. Most people never notice they are doing this.

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.

Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.