What Is the Difference Between an Open & a Closed Syllable?
The difference between an open and closed syllable depends on whether or not a vowel is followed by a consonant. A vowel followed by a consonant is called a closed syllable; if not followed by a consonant, it is an open syllable. The key is to look for where the vowel falls in a syllable to determine whether it is open or closed. For example, the word go has only one syllable ending in a vowel. Therefore it would be considered an open syllable. The word cat ends with a consonant and would be classified as a closed syllable.
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Identification
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To identify the syllabic parts of words, sound them out and write them down with a space separating each syllable. Next, under each letter in the syllable write c or v (c for a consonant and v for a vowel). For open syllables look for a cv combination. For closed syllables look for patterns such as cvc, cvcc, ccvcc, or vc. Take the word limit; it has two syllables li and mit. Li follows a cv pattern so it is an open syllable. The pattern for mit is cvc so it is a closed syllable.
Exceptions
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Now look at atypical syllable patterns. The word ask does not begin with a consonant as is typical but is still classified as a closed syllable. The word spa begins with two consonants but is still an open syllable. Remember, even in atypical patterns the key is the placement of the vowel. If it is not followed by a consonant it is an open syllable. If it is followed by a consonant then it is a closed syllable.
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Considerations
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Sounding out words doesn't always work. A disconnect often exists between how a word sounds and how it is written. Silent consonants, for example, are common and often result in misspellings that could be avoided with knowledge of the different kinds of syllables used in the English language. Note that an open syllable will produce a long vowel sound while closed syllables shorten the sound of the vowel. This is helpful with spelling certain English words such as those containing a silent consonant. For example, in the word mitten only one t is pronounced so spelling the word simply by sounding out the syllables would produce the misspelling miten. However, with knowledge of what a closed versus an open syllable is and how this lengthens or shortens the sound of the vowel you know that to produce the short sounding i in the syllable mi, the i is closed off by the silent consonant t. So the correct spelling is mitten. In short, to become a better speller, know the different kinds of syllables and their structures.
Benefits
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An added benefit to knowing and recognizing the different kinds of syllabic structure in English is how this also helps you in studying a foreign language. Did you know that most Japanese syllables follow the cv construct? In other words they are open syllables. Hawaiian allows for only open syllables. Closed syllables do not exist in its language. Knowing what open and closed syllables are helps not only your understanding of English but of other languages as well.
Other Languages
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Syllabic rules and structures specific to English are not necessarily transferable to another language. This is why the spelling of foreign words (such as many place names) used in English are often changed to accommodate, for example, the vowel placement within syllables. Chesaning county in Michigan derives its name from the original Chippewa village of Che-as-sin-ning. To accommodate the English preference for a repetitive cv,cv construct, the "as" spelling of the second syllable is removed.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Schreibblock mit Stift 2 image by RenierArt from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Take the word limit; it has two syllables li and mit. Li follows a cv pattern so it is an open syllable. This is incorrect. Limit is divided after the m and is a closed syllable.
