“_A_ constituting or ending an unaccented syllable is short Italian _a_.”
again America banana fatality papa alas amuse canine fatigue parasol algebra apparatus China lapel pica alkali area data massacre sacrament amass arena drama ornament valise
“_E_ constituting or ending a syllable is long.”
depot memento obedience really society event museum penal recess superior feline nausea precedence resource theater frequent negro precise sacrilegious theology mechanic notoriety pretense secretary veto
“_O_ constituting or ending a syllable is long.”
broken explosive melodeon poem spoken chosen gondola melody police tobacco composition licorice open potato trophy coquet location opponent promotion zodiac cupola locust pantomime proviso zoölogy
“_I_constituting or ending an unaccented syllable, not initial, is always short, and is usually short even in initial syllables, if unaccented.”
divide tirade sentinel fidelity residence direct intimate continent digest levity finance indivisible defensible hilarious reticent imitate equidistant predicate maritime reticule piazza nobility finance invitation direction
In the _initial_ syllables _i_, _bi_, _chi_, _cli_, _cri_, _pri_, _tri_, however, _i_ is generally _long_.
idea biology climatic primeval tripod idle Chinese criterion triangular triune isothermal chirography biennial binomial priority
_E_ before terminal _n_ should always be silent in participles, and also in most other words.
given stolen ridden bidden forsaken taken proven shaken woven gotten broken driven written shaven risen spoken frozen arisen chidden smitten fallen hidden beaten eaten stricken
heaven oaken happen burden leaven often leaden seven garden brazen widen golden even eleven christen
But in the following words _e_ should be sounded:
hyphen chicken marten lichen sudden linden linen gluten mitten aspen
_E_ should also be sounded in any word (not a participle) in which terminal _en_ is immediately preceded by _l_, _m_, _n_, or _r_.
women Ellen Helen omen pollen barren linen woolen Allen Warren
“_E_ before terminal _l_ should usually be sounded.”
Abel model morsel cancel marvel level travel rebel gravel barrel nickel apparel towel channel kennel chapel citadel revel Mabel libel camel laurel bevel funnel parcel