2.20: The Consonant Sounds [w] and [y]
- Last updated
- Jun 15, 2022
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Overview of the Consonant Sounds [w] and [y]
Examples
You can hear [w] at the beginning of wet.
You can hear [y] at the beginning of yet.
Review
- Underline the letters that spell [w] and [y] in these words:
\begin{align*}
& \text{warm} && \text{yours} && \text{yearly} && \text{would}\\
& \text{swimmer} && \text{woman} && \text{toward} && \text{yowl}\\
& \text{yard} && \text{rewind} && \text{quick} && \text{square}\\
& \text{beyond} && \text{words} && \text{twinning} && \text{young}
\end{align*} - Sort the words into these groups:
Words with the sound ... [w]: [y]: - Sort the words with [w] into these two groups:
Words with [w] spelled ... <w>: <u>: - In all six of the words that contain [y], the [y] sound is spelled ________.
- Show Answer
-
- \begin{align*}
& \underline{w}arm && \underline{y}ours && \underline{y}early && \underline{w}ould \\
& s\underline{w}immer && \underline{w}oman && to\underline{w}ard && \underline{y}owl \\
& \underline{y}ard && re\underline{w}ind && \underline{qu}ick && s\underline{qu}are \\
& be\underline{y}ond && \underline{w}ords && t\underline{w}inning && \underline{y}oung
\end{align*} -
Words with the sound ... [w]: [y]: warm quick yard swimmer twinning beyond woman would yours rewind square yearly words yowl toward young -
Words with [w] spelled ... <w>: <u>: warm words quick swimmer toward square woman twinning rewind would - In all six of the words that contain [y], the [y] sound is spelled <y>.
- \begin{align*}
Explore More
Word Scrambles
If you unscramble the letters in each of the words below and fit them into the boxes, you will spell five other words that all contain the sounds [w] or [y]. We have given you a start by filling in the letters that spell [w] or [y] in each of the words you are trying to spell:
- Show Answer
-
rods - w o r d s
sour - y o u r s
moan - w o m a n
relay - y e a r l y
boned - b e y o n d
Spelling [w]
Examples
You can hear the sound [w] at the beginning of the words word and weather.
Review
1. Underline the letters that spell [w] in the following words:
\begin{align*}
& \text{waffles} && \text{sweaty} && \text{witness} && \text{welfare}\\
& \text{afterward} && \text{weirdest} && \text{weather} && \text{twinkle}\\
& \text{waitress} && \text{swallow} && \text{reweighed} && \text{sweetheart}\\
& \text{between} && \text{wisdom} && \text{unwillingly} && \text{notwithstanding}\\
& \text{waltzes} && \text{unworthy} && \text{twentieth} && \text{twelfth}
\end{align*}
Analyze each of the words as directed in the formula. Key: ‘BB’ = Bound base, ‘FB’ = Free base, ‘BS’ = Bound stem, ‘FS’ = Free Stem, ‘P’ = Prefix, ‘S’ = Suffix:
| Word | Formula | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 2. waffles | FB+S | waffle + s |
| 3. afterward | FS+S | after + ward |
| 4. waiters | FB+S+S | |
| 5. between | P+BS | |
| 6. waltzes | FB+S | |
| 7. sweaty | FB+S | |
| 8. weirdest | FB+S | |
| 9. swallowing | FB+S | |
| 10. wisdom | BB+S | |
| 11. unworthy | P+FB+S | |
| 12. witness | BB+S | |
| 13. weathered | FS+S | |
| 14. reweighed | P+FB+S | |
| 15. unwillingly | P+FB+S+S | |
| 16. twentieth | FS+S | |
| 17. welfare | BB+FB | |
| 18. twinkling | FS+S | |
| 19. sweetheart | FB+FB | |
| 20. notwithstanding | FB+FB+FB+S | |
| 21. twelfth | BS+S |
22. Now sort the words into the following two groups:
23. In those seven words in which the [w] is not at the front of an element, it is part of a consonant cluster. Do these clusters come at the front of elements in these words? ___________.
24. When [w] is spelled <w>, the <w> either comes at the ___________ of an element or it is in a consonant cluster that comes at the ___________ of an element.
- Show Answer
-
1. \begin{align*}
& \underline{w}affles && s\underline{w}eaty && \underline{w}itness && \underline{w}elfare \\
& after\underline{w}ard && \underline{w}eirdest && \underline{w}eather && t\underline{w}inkle \\
& \underline{w}aitress && s\underline{w}allow && re\underline{w}eighed && s\underline{w}eetheart \\
& bet\underline{w}een && \underline{w}isdom && un\underline{w}illingly && not\underline{w}ithstanding \\
& \underline{w}altzes && un\underline{w}orthy && t\underline{w}entieth && t\underline{w}elfth
\end{align*}
22.Word Formula Analysis 2. waffles FB + S waffle + s 3. afterward FS + S after + ward 4. waiters FB + S + S wait + er + s 5. between P + BS be + tween 6. waltzes FB + S waltz + es 7. sweaty FB + S sweat + y 8. weirdest FB + S weird + est 9. swallowing FB + S swallow + ing 10. wisdom BB + S wis + dom 11. unworthy P + FB + S un + worth + y 12. witness BB + S wit + ness 13. weathered FS + S weather + ed 14. reweighed P + FB + S re + weigh + ed 15. unwillingly P + FB + S + S un + will + ing + ly 16. twentieth FS + S twent y+ i + eth17. welfare BB + FB wel + fare 18. twinkling FS + S twinkl e+ ing19. sweetheart FB + FB sweet + heart 20. notwithstanding FB + FB + FB + S not + with + stand + ing 21. twelfth BS + S twelf + th Words in which the [w] is ... at the front of an element not at the front of an element waffles witness between afterward weathered sweaty waiters reweighed swallowing waltzes unwillingly twentieth weirdest welfare twinkle wisdom notwithstanding sweetheart unworthy twelfth 23. In those seven words in which the [w] is not at the front of an element, it is part of a consonant cluster. Do these clusters come at the front of elements in these words? At the front.
24. When [w] is spelled <w>, the <w> either comes at the front of an element or it is in a consonant cluster that comes at the front of an element.
Other Spellings of [w]
The three spellings of [w] are <w>, <wh>, and <u>. The spelling <w> always comes at the front of an element or in a consonant cluster that comes at the front of an element. The spelling <u> usually comes after the letter <q> and sometimes after the letters <g>, <s>, or <p>. The spelling <wh> is sometimes pronounced [wh], sometimes [w].
It is not surprising that [w] is often spelled <u>: The letter <w> was originally just two <u>s run together, <uu>. That is why <w> is called “double-<u>.”
Examples
Dictionaries usually give us a choice as to how we should pronounce <wh>: either [hw] or just [w]. You might check yourself: When you say whale, does it sound exactly like your pronunciation of wail? Or do you hear a little puff of air in front, a soft [h]? Hundreds of years ago, whale was spelled hwāl, and the <h> was pronounced [h]. But in time the spelling changed, probably to make it more like the other clusters <ch>, <gh>, <sh>, and <th>. The spelling changed, but the pronunciation more or less stayed the same. Over the centuries that [h] has tended to get lost. That is why dictionaries usually show two different pronunciations for <wh>: [w] and [hw].
Review
- Underline the letters that spell [w] in the following words.
\begin{align*}
& \text{awhile} && \text{request} && \text{quantity} && \text{qualities}\\
& \text{acquaint} && \text{quotation} && \text{quizzes} && \text{squirrel}\\
& \text{distinguish} && \text{language} && \text{whistle} && \text{frequently}\\
& \text{persuade} && \text{pueblo} && \text{earthquake} && \text{squeeze}\\
& \text{everywhere} && \text{somewhat} && \text{equation} && \text{question}\\
& \text{acquire} && \text{which} && \text{overwhelm} && \text{whizzed}
\end{align*} -
You should have found two different spellings of [w]. Seven words have the first spelling; seventeen have the second. Sort the words into the following two groups.
Words with [w] spelled... way #1 way #2 -
Look at the seventeen words in which [w] is spelled <u>. In each one mark the letter that comes right in front of the <u> that is spelling [w]. You should have found four different consonants that come before the <u>. The first of the consonants is in thirteen of the words; the second is in two words, and the third and fourth are in one word each. Sort the words into the following groups.
Words in which the <u> follows <q>: Words in which the <u> follows... <g> <s> <p>
- Show Answer
-
- \begin{align*}
& a\underline{wh}ile && re\underline{qu}est && \underline{qu}antity && \underline{qu}alities \\
& ac\underline{qu}aint && \underline{qu}otation && \underline{qu}izzes && s\underline{qu}irrel \\
& disting\underline{u}ish && lang\underline{u}age && \underline{wh}istle && fre\underline{qu}ently \\
& pers\underline{u}ade && p\underline{u}eblo && earth\underline{qu}ake && s\underline{qu}eeze \\
& every\underline{wh}ere && some\underline{wh}at && e\underline{qu}ation && \underline{qu}estion \\
& ac\underline{qu}ire && \underline{wh}ich && over\underline{wh}elm && \underline{wh}izzed
\end{align*} -
Words with [w] spelled... way #1 way #2 awhile acquaint quizzes everywhere distinguish earthquake somewhat persuade equation which acquire qualities whistle request squirrel overwhelm quotation frequently whizzed language squeeze pueblo question quantity -
Words in which the <u> follows <q>: acquaint quizzes frequently acquire earthquake squeeze request equation question quotation qualities quantity squirrel Words in which the <u> follows... <g> <s> <p> distinguish persuaded pueblo language
- \begin{align*}
Explore More
Word Histories. One set of homophones with [w] is weather, whether, and wether. Weather comes from an Old English word that meant “Weather, storm, wind.” It is related to the words wind and window. A sentence that can help with the <w> spelling: “The wind and weather came through the broken window.”
Whether, as in “I don't know whether to go or not,” comes from an Old English word that is closely related to words like what, why, which, when, all of which contain the <wh> spelling.
The rare wether “a male sheep” comes from an Old English word that is related to the word veterinarian. Notice that neither veterinarian nor wether have an <h> or an <a> among the first three letters.
