digraph word lists

less than a minute read 05-09-2024

A digraph is a combination of two letters that together represent a single sound (phoneme). In English, there are various common digraphs, including "sh," "ch," "th," and "ph." This article provides an extensive list of words that contain different digraphs, which can be particularly useful for teaching phonics or expanding vocabulary.

Common Digraphs

1. Sh Digraph

The "sh" digraph often produces the /ʃ/ sound. Here are some examples:

Shirt
Shine
Shark
Shell
Wish

2. Ch Digraph

The "ch" digraph can produce the /tʃ/ sound. Words with this digraph include:

Chair
Cherry
Chop
Chalk
Choice

3. Th Digraph

The "th" digraph can represent two sounds: the voiced /ð/ as in "this" and the voiceless /θ/ as in "think." Examples are:

This
That
Think
Thorn
Thick

4. Ph Digraph

The "ph" digraph typically represents the /f/ sound. Here are some examples:

Phone
Photo
Graph
Elephant
Philosophy

Usage of Digraphs in Sentences

Using digraph words in sentences can help solidify their understanding. Here are a few examples:

The shark swam near the shore while I wore my new shirt.
She picked a cherry from the cherry tree and sat on the chair.
This is the book that I wanted to read when I was a child, and I think it has a great story.
The phone rang while I was trying to capture the beautiful photo of the sunset.

Importance of Digraphs

Understanding digraphs is crucial for reading and spelling. They can help:

Enhance decoding skills in young readers.
Improve spelling abilities by recognizing common letter combinations.
Build vocabulary by introducing new words.

Conclusion

Digraphs are an essential part of the English language, and knowing them can significantly aid in language development. By utilizing digraph word lists, learners can become more familiar with the sounds and spellings that these letter combinations produce. Integrating these words into daily reading and writing can promote better literacy skills.