When Are “Y” & “H” Vowels?

Introduction

In English, we generally think of the vowels as the letters a, e, i, o, and u. However, there are instances when other letters, such as “y” and “h,” can function as vowels. This is advanced English so don’t worry if this seems complicated, eventually it will make sense!

The Letter “Y” as a Vowel

The letter “y” can act as both a consonant and a vowel, depending on its position and sound in a word. For most practical and everyday purposes, “y” being an adjective doesn’t change much for the speaker.

When “Y” is a Vowel:

  • At the End of a Word: When “y” appears at the end of a word and sounds like a long “e” or short “i.”
    • Example: happy, my, sky, baby
      • Explanation: In “happy,” “y” sounds like a long “e.” In “my,” “y” sounds like a short “i.”
  • In the Middle of a Word: When “y” appears in the middle of a word and has a vowel sound.
    • Example: gym, myth, system
    • Explanation: In “gym,” “y” sounds like a short “i.” In “myth,” “y” sounds like a short “i.”

When “Y” is a Consonant:

  • At the Beginning of a Word: When “y” appears at the beginning of a word and has a consonant sound.
    • Example: yes, yellow, young
    • Explanation: In “yes,” “y” sounds like a consonant “y.”

The Letter “H” and Silent “H”

The letter “h” is typically a consonant, but it can be silent in some words, affecting the use of articles “a” and “an.” Although “y” being a vowel doesn’t have much of an effect on the speaker, if “h” acts as a vowel, the speaker may have to use “an” instead of “a”.

When “H” is Silent:

  • With Words of French Origin: In some words borrowed from French, “h” is silent, and the word begins with a vowel sound.
    • Example: hour, honest, heir
    • Explanation: In “hour,” “h” is silent, so the word starts with the vowel sound “ou.”
    • Therefore we would say: an hour, an honest opinion, an heir to the throne
    • How do you know if a word comes from French?
      • If your first language is French, you’ll know, otherwise don’t worry about it and listen for the silent “h” sound when natives speak.

Articles with Silent “H”:

  • Using “An”: Use “an” before words with a silent “h” because the word begins with a vowel sound.
    • Example: an hour, an honest mistake, an heir
    • Explanation: Since “hour” begins with a vowel sound, we use “an.”
  • Using “A”: Use “a” before words where “h” is pronounced.
    • Example: a house, a happy child, a hero
    • Explanation: Since “house” begins with a pronounced “h,” we use “a.”

I have heard people from certain parts of the English speaking world say “an ‘ouse” when they mean to say “a house.” This is part of being an English learner, you must realise that every region has its own dialect and there is no real English. You must be able to adapt.

Practice Exercises

Identify whether “y” is acting as a vowel or consonant in the following words:

  1. Yes
  2. Gym
  3. Happy
  4. Myth
  5. Yellow

Choose the correct article (“a” or “an”) for the following sentences:

  1. I will be back in _ hour.
  2. She is _ honest person.
  3. He bought _ yellow umbrella.
  4. That was _ heroic act.
  5. We have _ heir to the throne.

Answers:

  1. Yes – Consonant
  2. Gym – Vowel
  3. Happy – Vowel
  4. Myth – Vowel
  5. Yellow – Consonant
  6. an
  7. an
  8. a
  9. a (an is also acceptable here as you will hear people of various dialects saying “a heroic…” and “an ‘eroic…”
  10. an

Conclusion

Knowing when “y” is a vowel doesn’t have much of an impact on you when you speak but “h” certainly does! So listen to native speakers and copy them. Copying the people you are surrounded by most often is the best way to learn English and speak like a native.

Related Posts

Scroll to Top