Closed Syllable Exceptions List and Printable

Closed syllables are a fundamental concept in English phonics, affecting how vowel sounds are pronounced. In most cases, a closed syllable, where a vowel is followed by a consonant, results in the vowel having a short sound.

However, there are exceptions to this rule, known as closed syllable exceptions. These exceptions are important for understanding the pronunciation and spelling of certain English words.

The Basics of Closed Syllables

A closed syllable is a syllabic unit where a single vowel is followed by one or more consonants.

This configuration typically leads to the vowel being pronounced with a short sound.

For example, in the word ‘bat,’ the ‘a’ is short because it is closed by the ‘t’.

Closed syllables are a key concept in early literacy education, helping learners decode words and understand their phonetic structure.

We have lists of Closed, and open actually, syllable words here on the site as well as other syllable types. You can start to look from the link below.

80+ Closed Syllable Words and Printable List

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What Are Closed Syllable Exceptions?

Closed syllable exceptions occur when a word follows the pattern of a closed syllable but the vowel sound is long instead of short.

This contradicts the general rule of closed syllables, where a vowel followed by a consonant typically has a short sound.

For instance, in the word ‘kind,’ despite the presence of a consonant ‘d’ after the vowel ‘i,’ the ‘i’ is pronounced with a long sound.

These exceptions are crucial for learners as they can significantly alter the pronunciation and meaning of words.

Common Closed Syllable Exceptions

The most common closed syllable exceptions include patterns like ild, ind, old, olt, ost, and on occasion oll. Each of these patterns showcases a long vowel sound despite being in a closed syllable.

• ‘ild’ as in ‘wild’ and ‘child’
• ‘ind’ as in ‘find’ and ‘kind’
• ‘old’ as in ‘gold’ and ‘cold’
• ‘olt’ as in ‘bolt’ and ‘colt’
• ‘ost’ as in ‘most’ and ‘post’
• ‘oll‘ Words like ‘doll,’ ‘roll,’ and ‘poll’

Below we have a table of some of these closed syllable exceptions and you can download a handout version below the image below as well.

Table of Closed Syllable Exceptions:

ild	ind	old	olt	ost	oll
wild	kind	old	bolt	most	roll
child	find	cold	colt	post	poll
mild	bind	gold	jolt	host	troll
	mind	hold	molt	ghost	scroll
	rewind	bold	dolt		enroll
	behind	told	–
	unkind	sold	–
	remind	mold	–
	blind	scold	–

These examples illustrate how the vowel retains its long sound even when followed by one or more consonants, defying the typical closed syllable rule.

You can download this closed syllable exception table from the link below.

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Teaching Closed Syllable Exceptions

When teaching closed syllable exceptions, it’s important to provide clear explanations and plenty of examples. Here are some strategies for educators:

• Direct Instruction: Explicitly teach each exception pattern. Use lists of words and have students practice reading and spelling them.
• Visual Aids: Create charts or flashcards for each exception pattern. Visual reinforcement can help students remember these unique cases.
• Contextual Learning: Use these words in sentences and stories. Context helps students understand how these exceptions function in regular language use.
• Games and Activities: Incorporate fun activities like word sorting or matching games to reinforce learning in an engaging way.
• Regular Review: Revisit these exceptions periodically to ensure long-term retention.

Teaching these exceptions effectively can help students become more proficient in reading and spelling, leading to greater confidence in their language skills.

Challenges and Solutions

Learning closed syllable exceptions can be challenging for students. Here are common challenges and potential solutions:

• Memorization Difficulty: Since these exceptions don’t follow the usual pattern, students might find them hard to remember. Solution: Use mnemonic devices or story-based techniques to aid memory.
• Confusion with Regular Patterns: Students might get confused between regular closed syllables and exceptions. Solution: Consistently reinforce the difference through examples and practice.
• Limited Exposure: If students don’t encounter these exceptions often, they might forget them. Solution: Include these words in regular reading and writing exercises.

Conclusion

While these Closed syllable exceptions can be challenging, they are useful for accurate pronunciation and spelling. Recognizing these patterns helps learners read more complex texts with confidence and enhances their overall language skills.

It’s important for both teachers and learners to acknowledge the irregular nature of English and that there is always something else, no matter how confusing!, to learn!

References and Further Reading

To deepen your understanding of closed syllable exceptions and English phonics in general, consider exploring the following resources:

1. https://learningattheprimarypond.com/blog/what-are-the-closed-syllable-exceptions-what-are-some-ideas-for-teaching-the-closed-syllable-exceptions/
2. https://thriveedservices.com/closed-syllable-exceptions/
3. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/rel/regions/southeast/pdf/3.2_Act_10_Open_and_Closed_Syllable_Sort.pdf