SnapPhonics

is

IHZ/ˈɪz/verb
  1. verbUsed to say that two things are the same or equal.

  2. verbUsed to say that something has certain qualities or characteristics.

  3. verbUsed to show what someone or something belongs to as a type or group.

  4. verbUsed to show that something exists or is real.

  5. verbUsed to tell what time of day it is.

  6. verbUsed to tell how old someone is in years.

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Sight WordIrregular

"is" does not follow standard phonics patterns and should be memorized.

Syllables

is

1 syllable

Letters

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

i

Phonics Rule: Short I

The letter I makes a short sound, like in 'sit' and 'big'.

When the letter I appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short I sound /ɪ/. This is one of the trickiest short vowels because it sounds similar to short E.

Tip

I says /ɪ/ like an itch you can't miss.

Examples

s

Phonics Rule: Letter S

The letter S usually makes the /s/ sound, like in 'sun', 'sit', and 'sock'. Air hisses through a small gap.

S is a voiceless alveolar fricative when it makes the /s/ sound. At the end of many words it can also make a /z/ sound (as in 'dogs' or 'has'). At the start of a word it is always /s/.

Tip

S hisses like a snake — sssssun!

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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