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The letter Y can be regarded as both a vowel and a consonant. In terms of sound, a vowel is 'a speech sound which is produced by comparatively open configuration of the vocal tract, with vibration of the vocal cords but without audible friction...', while a consonant is 'a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed'. The letter Y can be used to represent different sounds in different words, and can therefore fit either definition. In myth or hymn it's clearly a vowel, and also in words such asmy, where it stands for a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds). On the other hand, in a word like beyond there is an obstacle to the breath which can be heard between two vowels, and the same sound begins words like young and yes. (This consonant sound, like that of the letter W, is sometimes called a 'semivowel' because it is made in a similar way to a vowel, but functions in contrast to vowels when used in words.) Whether the letter Y is a vowel or a consonant is therefore rather an arbitrary decision. The letter is probably more often used as a vowel, but in this role it's often interchangeable with the letter I. However, the consonant sound is not consistently represented in English spelling by any other letter, and perhaps for this reason Y tends traditionally to be counted among the consonants.
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Is the y in grocery a vowel or a consonant?
The y in 'grocery' is a vowel. The y in 'you' is a consonant.
Is the y in highway a vowel or consonant?
is it a vowel
In the word 'bye' is the 'y' a vowel or a consonant?
"Y" is a consonant. It is always a consonant no matter how it is used. Sometimes it can take the place of a vowel, as in the word "Bye" but there are only 5 true vowels, A, E, I, O and U.Dissenting OpinionThe "y" being a vowel or consonant is dependent on the pronunciation of the letter in a word. "Y" as a consonant requires the sound found in the word "yes" or the German "ja" (IPA - "J"). The "y" in bye does not have the same sound as these. (A word which does - but is not spelled with a "y" is butte.) Therefore, the "y" in bye is a vowel. As noted in the above opinion, "y" is not a true vowel because it can function as a consonant, which no true vowel can.
Is y a vowel or consonant in chimney?
"Y" is a consonant in the word "chimney". The letter "Y" only acts as a vowel when there are no true vowels (a, e, i, o, u) present.
Is the letter y in happy a vowel or consonant?
It is a vowel.Sometimes, the letter y is a consonant, and other times it is a vowel. The rule for telling the two apart is simple: The letter y is a consonant when it is the first letter of a syllable that has more than one letter. If y is anywhere else in the syllable, it is a vowel.
Is the y in grocery a vowel or a consonant?
The y in 'grocery' is a vowel. The y in 'you' is a consonant.
Is y a vowel in jaunty?
Yes, in this word, Y is a vowel. Y is the only letter that can be both a consonant or a vowel. When it makes an E sound, it is a vowel.
Is the y in only a vowel or consonant?
vowel
Is the y in highway a vowel or consonant?
is it a vowel
Is the Y in the word carry a vowel?
Yes, the Y in the word "carry" can be both a vowel and a consonant, depending on how it is pronounced in the word. In this case, it functions as a consonant, as it contributes to a consonant sound at the beginning of the word.
Is baby a long vowel?
If a word contains a vowel consonant and vowel the first vowel says it's name meaning the is "A" long because a vowel follows the consonant in baby. In this case the consonant being a b and the vowel a y... (y can sometimes be a vowel)
Is baby is long or short vowel?
If a word contains a vowel consonant and vowel the first vowel says it's name meaning the is "A" long because a vowel follows the consonant in baby. In this case the consonant being a b and the vowel a y... (y can sometimes be a vowel)
What letter is a consonant but has a vowel sound?
The letter Y can be a consonant or a vowel. It is sometimes called a semi-vowel.
In the word 'bye' is the 'y' a vowel or a consonant?
"Y" is a consonant. It is always a consonant no matter how it is used. Sometimes it can take the place of a vowel, as in the word "Bye" but there are only 5 true vowels, A, E, I, O and U.Dissenting OpinionThe "y" being a vowel or consonant is dependent on the pronunciation of the letter in a word. "Y" as a consonant requires the sound found in the word "yes" or the German "ja" (IPA - "J"). The "y" in bye does not have the same sound as these. (A word which does - but is not spelled with a "y" is butte.) Therefore, the "y" in bye is a vowel. As noted in the above opinion, "y" is not a true vowel because it can function as a consonant, which no true vowel can.
Day a vowel or a consonant?
Day is a word, not a vowel or consonant. The word "Day" has the following make up: D: consonant A: vowel Y: both The consonant "d"-sound is followed by the vowel-consonant "-ay" sound.
Is the y in probably a vowel?
Yes. The y in probably is used as a vowel. The y in yes is a consonant.
Is y a vowel in today?
No, "y" is not a vowel in the word "today." In this context, "y" is acting as a consonant.
