The letter Y is sometimes used as a vowel. What are examples of Y as a vowel and please explain why is it substituted instead of using the other five vowels?
2006-10-17 06:10:43 · 14 answers · asked by Aoiffe337 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
when Y replaces 'ie' its a vowel. instead of kittie, its kitty... get it?
2006-10-17 06:16:45 · answer #1 · answered by blair 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, the letter Y is a vowel or a consonant in terms of sound. The letter Y can be used to represent different sounds in different words, and can therefore fit either definition. In myth or hymn it is clearly a vowel, and also in words such as my, where it stands for a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds). 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 is often interchangeable with the letter I.
2006-10-17 13:20:33 · answer #2 · answered by spliff 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Consonants use the mouth to form words. Like the tongue, lips, closing the mouth etc. Vowels are from the throat mostly. That's why ventriloquists have a hard time with some consonants.
Now, Y can be either a vowel as in byte, or a consonant as in yellow. Some languages have less vowels some more.
2006-10-17 15:13:30 · answer #3 · answered by amish-robot 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
'Y' used to be the sixth vowel, also see some of the correct answers above. Its still used as if it were a vowel, but over time it has lost its privileged position in this elite group of letters. I think 'Y' is a bit of a rebel.
2006-10-17 15:45:59 · answer #4 · answered by frostbitten 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The letter Y can be used in a word, not needing a vowel. Otherwise, a vowel is thought to be essential to make a word. Example: lynx, rhythm
2006-10-17 13:59:09 · answer #5 · answered by yakkydoc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every word needs a vowel. Some words only have Y - like Fly and My
2006-10-17 15:58:12 · answer #6 · answered by lepninja 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there - "Y" is considered a vowel when it is used to aspirate between rusty old hard consonants. A good example is PSYCHOLOGY where it acts like a vowel. Another would by PSYCHIATRY (hmmm, do we have a trend there?)
The reason? Those words traveled forward into English from their etymological roots (wow! etymological, another example ;>), generally from the Greek.
2006-10-17 13:21:41 · answer #7 · answered by Jessica M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rhyme
It doesn't really substitute for other vowels - it is used in different situations
2006-10-17 13:34:59 · answer #8 · answered by Aspphire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think that 'whateva' had the right answer. i think it is a vowel when you use it in words like: synthetic, synthesis, syllable, myth, mystical, mystery, Egypt, heiroglyphic, typical, onyx, etc.
I dont think that Y is ever used to 'substitute' for anything but it is just considered a vowel because of the way it is used.
2006-10-17 13:22:35 · answer #9 · answered by chrissy chris 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tire > Tyre
2006-10-17 14:56:45 · answer #10 · answered by Monica 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋