What Are Vowels and Consonants (with Examples)

What Are Vowels?

The letters A, E, I, O, and U are the called vowels. The other letters in the alphabet are called consonants. A vowel is classified as a speech sound produced by a comparatively open configuration of the vocal tract, with vibration of the vocal cords but without audible friction.  A vowel sound (but not necessarily a vowel in the actual spelling) will be present in a syllable. Click to see the vowels in this sentence: The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.

What Are Consonants? (with Examples)

All the letters in the alphabet apart from A, E, I, O, and U (called vowels) are known as consonants. Interactive example: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.  A consonant is a letter of the alphabet which represents a basic speech sound produced by obstructing the breath in the vocal tract. For example: ·         T is pronounced using the tongue (front part) ·         K is pronounced using the tongue (back part) ·         B is pronounced with the lips ·         H is pronounced in the throat ·         F is pronounced by forcing air through a narrow gap ·         M is pronounced using the nasal passage A consonant can be combined with a vowel to form a syllable.