SnapPhonics

spots

SPAHTS/ˈspɑts/noun

Small round marks or dots on something.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

spots

1 syllable

Letters

Base word

spot

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

sp

Phonics Rule: SP Blend

S and P blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'spin' and 'sport'.

The blend SP combines /s/ and /p/ spoken quickly together.

Examples

o

Phonics Rule: Short O

The letter O makes a short sound, like in 'hot' and 'dog'.

When the letter O appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short O sound /ɑ/. In American English, this sounds like 'ah'.

Tip

O says /ɑ/ like 'Ahh!' said the doctor.

Examples

t

Phonics Rule: Letter T

The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.

T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.

Tip

T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!

Examples

s

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

Adding -S makes a word plural (more than one). After unvoiced sounds, -S says /s/, like 'cats'.

The plural -s says /s/ after unvoiced consonants (p, t, k, f, th). Like -ed, the pronunciation depends on the final sound of the base word.

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.