ShortLong U word family
-ute Words
/juːt/ — words that share the -ute pattern
The -ute family pairs directly with a short-u word learners likely already know: cut becomes cute. That exact minimal pair makes it one of the clearest silent-e examples for the whole short-u to long-u change.
How the -ute family works
Keep the ending -ute together, then add or change the beginning sound. Read through the whole word from left to right instead of guessing from its first letter.
6 reviewed examples
-ute word list
Begin with the shorter words. Add the second group only after blends and digraphs in those words have been taught.
Start here
After blends or digraphs
A speaker appears only where a reviewed recording is currently available. Every listed spelling has still been checked for the target pattern.
Teach the right examples first
Why this -ute pattern is useful
Use cut/cute as the anchor example
This is one of the cleanest minimal pairs across all CVCe families: same three letters, one added e, and a completely different vowel sound.
Start with cute and mute
These two words are short, familiar, and easy to use in a sentence before adding longer words.
Add longer words once the core is secure
Flute, chute, salute, and commute keep the same -ute ending while asking the learner to manage more syllables or beginning consonants.
Notice the /juː/ sound directly
Unlike some other long-u words, -ute words consistently say /juː/, which makes this family dependable for listening practice.
Keep the final e silent
The e never makes a sound of its own. It signals that the vowel before the final consonant is long.
Listening check
Listen and choose the -ute word
Question 1 of 5
Now read the same words aloud and use one in a sentence.
Explore another familyMove into connected text
Read -ute words in sentences
1The pup is cute.
2Play the flute softly.
3The baby stayed mute.
4Slide down the chute.
5They salute at dawn.
Ask the learner to underline the -ute word, decode it, and then reread the complete sentence naturally.
Spelling and pronunciation
Keep this family accurate
Keep e silent; it changes the short /ŭ/ in cut to the long /juː/ sound in cute.
A common question
What are useful -ute words?
Useful -ute words include cute and mute. After those are secure, learners can move to flute, chute, salute, and commute. The pair cut/cute is one of the clearest short-to-long silent-e examples available, which makes -ute a strong family for teaching the rule itself, not only for building vocabulary.
Five-minute routine
Practise without memorizing the list
Cover the list and reveal one word at a time. Say each sound, blend, then reread the word normally.
Build cute, then exchange its first sound to make another real word from this page.
Read one sentence, dictate one target word, and ask the learner to explain which letters spell the shared ending.
Ready-to-print practice
Print this -ute word lesson
The print layout keeps the reviewed word list, sentences, contrast, and practice routine while removing navigation and audio controls.