improve
Pronouncedihm-PROOV
To make something better or get better at something.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
When the letter I appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short I sound “ih”. This is one of the trickiest short vowels because it sounds similar to short E.
Tip
I says “ih” like an itch you can't miss.
Examples
Phonics Rule: MP End Blend
Sound“mp”·/mp/
MP at the end of a syllable blends /m/ and /p/ together, like in 'jump', 'camp', and 'lamp'.
MP is a common end blend. The lips are involved in both sounds — /m/ hums with closed lips, then /p/ pops them open.
Tip
MP pops at the end — jump, camp, stamp!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter R
Sound“r”·/r/
The letter R makes the /r/ sound, like in 'run', 'red', and 'rope'. The tongue curls back slightly.
R is a voiced approximant. The tongue curls back or bunches up without touching the roof of the mouth. When R follows a vowel it changes that vowel's sound (r-controlled vowels).
Tip
R is for run — /r/ with a curl of the tongue!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with O — “oo” (Magic E)
Sound“oo”·/uː/
Same o-consonant-e Magic E, but the O says 'oo' instead of long O — like 'move' and 'prove'.
Same o-consonant-e spelling as home and note, but in 'move', 'prove', 'lose', and 'whose' the O says the “oo” sound instead of long O. The E is still silent. Companion to silent_e_o_e.
Tip
Move and prove — Magic E makes O say oo!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter V
Sound“v”·/v/
The letter V makes the /v/ sound, like in 'van', 'vet', and 'vine'. Upper teeth touch the lower lip with voice.
V is a voiced labiodental fricative — the upper front teeth rest on the lower lip while air and voice flow through. It is the voiced partner of F. English words rarely end in V; they usually add an E (have, live, give).
Tip
V is for van — /v/ vibrates your lips!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with O — “oo” (Magic E)
Sound“oo”·/uː/
Same o-consonant-e Magic E, but the O says 'oo' instead of long O — like 'move' and 'prove'.
Same o-consonant-e spelling as home and note, but in 'move', 'prove', 'lose', and 'whose' the O says the “oo” sound instead of long O. The E is still silent. Companion to silent_e_o_e.
Tip
Move and prove — Magic E makes O say oo!
Examples
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