Diphthong Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RF.2.3

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Diphthongs are sounds that formed from consonant and vowel diagraphs. The two letters form a single syllable. In Greek, diphthongs means possessing two sounds. Diphthongs are present whenever a vowel makes an unusual or unique sound that you were not expecting. Diphthongs are all over the place between dialects of the same language. Just ask a New Yorker, Bostonian, and Texan say the sentence, "Walter parked the car in the garage." You will instantly see the differences and jumping diphthongs. These worksheets will help students see the likenesses and differences between words and the sounds in the words.

Diphthong Worksheets To Print:

Take a Stand! - Which pair appears in the words that are setup for you. There is a word bank to work off of.

Fill Those Blanks - Match the pictures and then complete the sentences. Then use the circled words to fill in the blanks in the sentences below

Word Puzzler - More sentences complete-ers. You will make a choice between two words that will or won't work.

Fill in the Blank - We work specifically on the "ow" and "oi" diphthongs. Which pair will complete each word properly.

ou/ow Words - The brown cow jumps how? Do you get it? Use the clues provided to find 8 words in the puzzle that contain the diphthongs ou or ow.

au | aw Words - Read the words below. Write each word in the correct column. This sheet works on the uses of (au) and (aw).

Alien Sounds - Say each word quietly to yourself. Underline the diphthong in each word. There are a dozen of exercises here for you.

Recognizing Diphthongs - See how many words you can come up with for each diphthong. Write each word on the line.

Diphthong Detective - Circle the word in each pair that contains a diphthong. A highlighter comes in handy here too.

Ew! Diphthongs! - Fill the missing letters in each word below. Then find each word in the puzzle. This is a two part activity for you to get some extra work in.

Seek and Circle - Be careful - not all of the combinations of letters below make real words! this is one last recognition activity for you.

Spelling Da Words - Fill in the blanks to make words. You will complete words using your choice of: (oa), (ee), (ai), (ea).

Underneath It All - Read the words in the bank. Then write each word underneath its matching picture.

AU Diphthongs - Read each word. Underline the diphthong. Write each word on the line.

How Many Diphthongs Do You Know? - See how many words you can come up with for each diphthong. Write them in the boxes.


Eight Types of Diphthongs


In American English there are distinct types of diphthongs. The best way to pinpoint a diphthong is to listen to the sound that is created by the vowel when you say it to yourself aloud. If the sound stays put, no diphthong. If the sound tweaks to some extent, you have found a diphthong.

The diphthong /aI/ gives off a sound similar to the word (eye). This can be found in words like cry, like, and bright.

The diphthong /eI/ has four letter combos: /ey/, /ay/, /ai/, and /a/. They give off a sound similar to the word (great). You will find this in the words break, lay, and rain.

/əƱ/ is a diphthong that makes a similar sound to the word (boat). This sound is found words like oh, slow, and though.

The /aƱ/ diphthong gives off a sound similar to (ow!) It can be found in the words brown, how, house.

The diphthongs /eƆ/ and /ɪƆ/ are often the most confused. /eə/ gives off a sound similar to the word (word). /ɪə/ generates sounds similar to (ear).

/Ɔi/ is the diphthong that is found in words like boy, foil, and coin. It is one of the most fundamental phonetic sounds because it sounds like (oil).

/Ʊə/ produces a (cure) sound and can be found in words like lure, fur, and manicure.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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