le
The ending –le works the same way as –e. I say: “The –le can jump back over one consonant to make a vowel say its name; it cannot jump back over two consonants.”
Think of the word table. The –le can work back over one b and make the a say its name. But in battle there are 2 t’s which form a wall between the –le ending and the earlier vowel a, so the a remains short as in cat. table crackle apple bangle handle Keble (This is a college in Oxford University. I do not know of any other words like this.) pebble kettle nettle meddle Words with the long E sound have the double ee: feeble needle steeple Likewise, see: noodle Bootle For the teacher, Alpha to Omega is a superb reference book. rifle trifle Bible title middle dimple riddle noble bottle wobble hobble goggle bugle struggle muddle bubble jungle uncle There are many more words ending in –le with a short vowel than with a long vowel. But the rule is there and it helps with spelling. In words ending in –stle, the t is silent: castle nestle trestle thistle jostle rustle bustle In 3-syllable words ending in –ble or –cle, the stress is on the first syllable, and the a or i in the second syllable is short: tentacles obstacle spectacles possible horrible terrible article ADDITIONAL NOTES
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