Vowel Alternation
Adding a suffix to the end of a base word sometimes changes a vowel sound in the original word.
For example, a base word may have a long-vowel sound that becomes a short-vowel sound after a suffix is added.
The word crime has along i sound, while the word criminal has a short i sound. The change in vowel sound between related words is called vowel alternation.
A. Read each sentence. The underlined word has a long-vowel sound. Circle the related word that has a short-vowel sound.
1. The nation put together a strong team for the national meet.
2. We are happy to reside in a community with many residents.
3. The storyteller was wise, and she shared her wisdom with us.
4. I will invite him with a hand-delivered invitation.
B. Read the words below. Draw a line from the base word to the related word that has vowel alternation.
5. metal competition
6. repeat criminal
7. compete reference
8. crime original
9. origin metallic
10. refer repetition
6. repeat criminal
7. compete reference
8. crime original
9. origin metallic
10. refer repetition