In this topic I show you the most common spelling for the /æ/ sound. To help you remember it, I also bring you some everyday words with that spelling.
Do you want to have a quick look at the phonetic alphabet? Click here to see the /æ/ in the phonetic alphabet chart.
The most common spelling
Figuring out when a word has an /æ/ can sometimes be difficult. To make it easier for you, here is the most common spelling that will help you identify the /æ/.
Note: this spelling is not unique to the /æ/ sound, as we’ll see in other lessons.
The stressed A often has an /æ/ sound. Play these flashcards to hear a native speaker, and click on the red arrows to flip them. Can you distinguish the /æ/?
Remember that the symbol ‘ indicates that the syllable after it is stressed.
/ˈspænɪʃ/
/ˈfæmᵊli/
/dæd/
/ˈmænɪdʒə/
/ɡæs/
/ˈstrætədʒi/
/kæn/
/ˈfæmɪn/
/fæn/
/trænˈzɪʃᵊn/
/bæt/
/mæd/
/ˈkæməflɑːʒ/
Let’s play those flashcards again
Before moving on to the next topic in this lesson, go through this spelling one more time. Click here to flip all the flashcards and play them again.
Would you like to practise the /æ/ with me?
In my 1-to-1 English lessons I give you more everyday words to play with. I also show you the main spelling exceptions for /æ/. To practise them with me, book one of my 1-to-1 English lessons.
What’s next?
In the next topic I show you how to avoid getting the /æ/ wrong.