What is the short i sound?
The short i sound is the sound you hear in words like sit and pig. It sounds like /ĭ/, as in “ih.”
- i → /ĭ/ as in sit
- i → /ĭ/ as in lip
- i → /ĭ/ as in fin
The short i sound is quick and relaxed. It is not the long i sound in words like bike.
How to spell words with short i
Words with the short i sound usually use the letter i between consonants.
- pin (p-i-n)
- big (b-i-g)
- sit (s-i-t)
If you hear the /ĭ/ sound in the middle of a word, the spelling often includes the letter i.
Common short i word families
A word family is a group of words that have the same ending and sound alike.
- -it: sit, hit, fit
- -ig: pig, big, wig
- -in: pin, fin, win
Learning word families helps you spell new words more easily.
Using short i words in sentences
Short i words are often used in simple sentences to help with reading and spelling practice.
- The pig is big.
- I sit on the rug.
- The fish can swim.
Read the sentence aloud. Listen for the short i sound to help you check your spelling.
Checking your spelling
Good spellers listen carefully to sounds and check that each sound matches the correct letter.
- Say the word slowly
- Listen for the /ĭ/ sound
- Use the letter i to spell that sound
Always reread your word. Ask yourself: does it look right and sound right?