When children begin learning to read, they quickly notice that some vowel sounds slide or glide—changing slightly within the same syllable. These blended vowel sounds are called diphthongs. Learning to recognize and decode diphthongs is an essential skill in early reading, as they appear in many common English words. This guide introduces the most common diphthongs, how they are spelled, and how they sound. Understanding diphthong patterns helps young readers:
- Decode longer or unfamiliar words
- Improve pronunciation and fluency
- Develop stronger spelling intuition
- Build confidence with real-world vocabulary
Diphthong Patterns & Examples
1️. /ou/ – as in “out”
Spelling Patterns: ou, ow - This sound is heard in words like house and cow. Both "ou" and "ow" create the same /ou/ sound, often called the "ow!" sound.
|
"ou" Words |
"ow" Words |
|
out |
down |
|
shout |
now |
|
loud |
clown |
|
cloud |
brown |
|
mouth |
town |
|
round |
owl |
2️. /oi/ – as in “boil”
Spelling Patterns: oi, oy - The /oi/ sound (as in coin) is often introduced alongside /ou/. Use "oi" in the middle of words and "oy" at the end.
|
"oi" Words |
"oy" Words |
|
coin |
boy |
|
boil |
toy |
|
soil |
enjoy |
|
spoil |
annoy |
|
point |
cowboy |
|
voice |
– |
3️. /āʊ/ – as in “cow”
This is an alternate IPA for /ou/, but many phonics programs treat cow words as their own group.
|
cow |
down |
|
how |
town |
|
now |
crowd |
|
brown |
frown |
4️. /āɪ/ – as in “high”
Spelling Patterns: igh, ie, i-e, y - This diphthong glides from a short A toward a long E sound. It's one of the most frequently used vowel sounds in English reading.
|
Spelling |
Examples |
|
igh |
high, night, light, fight, right |
|
ie |
pie, tie, die, cried, tried |
|
i-e |
ride, kite, time, like, fine |
|
y (long i) |
cry, my, fly, sky, shy |
5️. /eə/ – as in “air” or “bear”
Spelling Patterns: air, are, ear - This diphthong is often found in r-controlled vowel combinations, especially in British or neutral English accents.
|
air |
care |
bear |
|
fair |
share |
pear |
|
hair |
dare |
wear |
|
stair |
bare |
tear |
6️. /əʊ/ – as in “go” (British English)
Spelling Patterns: oa, ow, oe - This glide begins at a mid-vowel and moves toward a high vowel. Though considered a long vowel in American English, it's treated as a diphthong in British phonics instruction.
|
go |
boat |
|
so |
coat |
|
no |
road |
|
show |
toe |
|
blow |
hoe |
|
snow |
– |
Summary Table of Common Diphthongs
|
Sound |
Spelling Patterns |
Examples |
|
/ou/ |
ou, ow |
out, shout, cloud, now, cow, brown |
|
/oi/ |
oi, oy |
coin, boil, soil, boy, enjoy |
|
/āɪ/ |
igh, ie, i-e, y |
high, kite, pie, ride, my, sky |
|
/eə/ |
air, are, ear |
air, care, bear |
|
/əʊ/ |
oa, ow, oe |
go, snow, boat, toe |
Diphthongs are an exciting and essential part of learning to read. By helping children hear and see how vowel sounds combine, we equip them with the skills to decode, spell, and enjoy a wider range of words. Whether they’re reading about a cow, a toy, or a bright light in the night, recognizing diphthongs gives them the tools to succeed. With regular practice, games, and exposure to real texts, your child will master diphthongs—and continue growing as a confident, curious reader.
Explore diphthongs the engaging way!
🎓 Boost your child’s reading journey with our Phonics Flashcards – Learn to Read in 20 Stages, packed with vowel team practice.
👉 https://nestatoys.in/products/phonics-flash-cards-learn-to-read-in-20-stages
