SnapPhonics

sector

SEHK-ter/ˈsɛk.tər/noun
  1. nounA part of something that is divided into different areas or sections.

  2. nounA part of a circle that looks like a slice of pie, with two straight edges meeting at the center.

  3. nounAn area of land or space that has borders and belongs to a particular group or country.

  4. nounA type of business or industry, like farming or banking.

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Syllables

sector

2 syllables

Letters

Phonics breakdown

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

e

Phonics Rule: Short E

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 /ɛ/. This is often confused with short I by new readers.

Tip

E says /ɛ/ like an egg on your head.

Examples

ct

Phonics Rule: CT End Blend

CT at the end of a syllable blends /k/ and /t/ together, like in 'act' and 'fact'.

CT is an end blend — both sounds are heard. The back of the tongue makes /k/, then the tip taps /t/.

Tip

CT blends at the end — act, fact, insect!

Examples

or

Phonics Rule: R-Controlled OR

When R comes after O, it makes the /ɔːr/ sound, like in 'for' and 'corn'.

OR makes the /ɔːr/ 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 /ɜːr/ pronunciation after W (word, work).

Tip

OR — the horse in the corner says /ɔːr/!

Examples

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