Main spellings (~95%)
⟨a_e⟩ ~40%
The split digraph ⟨a_e⟩ (a + consonant + silent e) is the most common spelling in closed syllables.
⟨a⟩ ~25%
Plain ⟨a⟩ makes this sound in open syllables and before certain consonants.
⟨ai⟩ ~20%
The digraph ⟨ai⟩ appears in the middle of words.
⟨ay⟩ ~10%
The spelling ⟨ay⟩ is used at the end of words.
Easy rule: Use ⟨ai⟩ in the middle of words (rain, wait) and ⟨ay⟩ at the end (day, play).
Unusual spellings (~5%)
⟨ea⟩
Just three common words use ⟨ea⟩ for this sound.
Watch out: ⟨ea⟩ usually makes the /i/ sound as in beach and read. The words break, great, and steak are exceptions.
⟨ey⟩
A handful of common words, mostly at the end.
⟨eigh⟩
Used in a small group of words, often related to weight and measurement.
Two ways to see this: You can think of ⟨eigh⟩ as an unusual spelling of /eɪ/, or as a silent ⟨gh⟩ after ⟨ei⟩ — see the
silent GH page for the full list. Both are valid.
⟨ei⟩
A small set of words with ⟨ei⟩ making this sound.
⟨aigh⟩
Just one common word.
⟨au⟩
Only one word.
⟨ae⟩
Word-final ⟨a⟩ + silent ⟨e⟩ in a few loanwords.
⟨ee⟩
French loanwords with final ⟨-ée⟩ (accent often dropped in English).
⟨ao⟩
British spelling of "jail."
⟨et⟩
In French loanwords with silent ⟨t⟩.
Two ways to see this: You can think of ⟨et⟩ as an unusual spelling of /eɪ/, or as a silent ⟨t⟩ after ⟨e⟩ — see the
silent T page. Both are valid.