Consonant spelling patterns

Consonant Digraphs

Two letters working together for one consonant sound

A digraph is a pair of letters that represents one sound. In ship, the letters s and h work together as /sh/.

Read the pattern

What makes a digraph different?

In a consonant blend, both consonant sounds are heard: flag begins /f/ /l/. In a digraph, the letter pair makes one new sound: ship begins /sh/.

Blend: two sounds

flag → /f/ /l/

Keep both consonant sounds.

Digraph: one sound

ship → /sh/

Read the two letters as one sound.

See, say, and listen

Common consonant digraphs

Follow the visual path: read the two letters together, say one sound, then listen to the anchor word.

s+h→/sh/

ship

sh makes one /sh/ sound. Do not say /s/ then /h/.

c+h→/ch/

chat

ch makes one /ch/ sound in common words such as chat.

t+h→/th/

thin

In thin, th is the quiet /th/ sound.

t+h→/th/

this

In this, th is the voiced /th/ sound. Feel the vibration in your throat.

w+h→/w/

when

In most common words, wh says /w/. The word who is an exception.

Important detail

The two TH sounds

The spelling th has two common sounds in English. Both are real consonant sounds and both need to be taught.

thin/θ/

Put the tongue lightly between the teeth. Air moves out; the throat stays quiet.

this/ð/

Use the same mouth position, but turn the voice on. You can feel a throat vibration.

Later spelling patterns

PH and CK need a different explanation

p+h→/f/

ph in phone

ph can represent /f/, usually in more advanced vocabulary. It is not an early decodable pattern.

c+k→/k/

ck in duck

ck is a common final spelling for /k/ after a short vowel, as in duck. Teach it as a spelling pattern.

Read in context

Digraph Practice Sentences

Read the digraph as one sound, then blend the rest of the word.

1 The ship is on the sea.

2 Chad can chat.

3 This fish is thin.

4 When can the duck swim?

Quick practice

Listen and choose the digraph word

Question 1 of 5

Free resource