In this lesson, Ronnie teaches us how to count syllables. She begins by explaining why counting syllables is important for making superlatives and comparatives in adjectives. To count syllables, it is crucial to count the vowel sounds, not the vowels themselves. In English, there are five vowel sounds – A, E, I, O, and U. Each vowel and vowel combination has a different sound, and it is essential to count vowel sounds correctly.
For short words like “cat” and “dog,” it is easy to count syllables because they have one vowel sound, making them one-syllable words. However, with longer words like “hungry,” “busy,” and “beautiful,” it becomes more challenging. For example, “beautiful” has five vowels but only three vowel sounds, making it a three-syllable word.
Ronnie also mentions that most of the time, the E at the end of the word is silent. However, when it is an L-E sound, it sounds like a “ul,” making it an extra vowel sound. For example, “college” has two syllables because the E at the end is silent, but “humble” has two syllables because the E at the end makes an extra vowel sound.
Ronnie encourages viewers to practice counting syllables by giving them some words to try on their own. She then explains how to count the vowels in trickier words like “employ” and “employee,” where two vowels together can make one sound. She finishes the lesson by hinting at her next video on superlative adjectives and comparatives.
In conclusion, counting syllables is essential for making superlatives and comparatives in adjectives. It is crucial to count vowel sounds, not vowels themselves, and remember that the E at the end of the word is usually silent, except when it is an L-E sound. With practice, anyone can become proficient in counting syllables.