This document summarizes rules for spelling long and short A sounds in English. Rule 1 states that a long A says its name "ey". Rule 2 explains that AI and AY spell long A in the middle and end of words. Rule 3 notes that a silent E at the end makes A long. Rules 4-5 cover short A spelled with a single vowel ending in a consonant. Examples of names with long and short A sounds are also provided.

1. English Spelling and Pronunciation by Nina Liakos © 2006

2. Lesson 3 Long and Short A Rule 1: A long vowel says its name. For example, long A is pronounced ā [ey]. Example: ape

3. Lesson 3 Slide 2 Rule 2: Long A is spelled AI in the middle of a word and AY at the end of a word. Examples: AI: aid, maid, rain, train, main, chain, pain, sprain, mail, rail, trail, wait AY: day, may, May, lay, play, ray, tray, stray, pay, pray, spray, stay, Kay

4. Lesson 3 Slide 3 Rule 3: Silent E at the end of a word makes the A long. Examples: ape, tape, ate, state, late, hate, date, same, came, lake, grade, cane, lame

5. Lesson 3 Slide 4 Men ’s names with ā : Jay, Clay Women’s names with ā : Kate, Jane, Kay, May

6. Lesson 3 Slide 5 Rule 4: Short A is pronounced ă [æ]. Example: cap Rule 5: If a word has 1 vowel and ends in a consonant, the vowel is short. Examples: am, ask, bath, cash, tax, can, plan, fast, stand, man, sat, cat

7. Lesson 3 Slide 6 Men’s names with ă: Stan, Sam, Max, Al, Jack, Dan Women’s names with ă: Ann, Nan, Fran, Jan, Pam, Pat

8. Lesson 3 Sentences Sight words: a, the, of, to, have, is (Sight words do not follow spelling rules. Memorize them.) Ann has a date today. Dan ate a snack. Pam and Pat pay tax. The train is late today. Jack and Fran hate the rain. The mail came late today.