double consonant

Rule Core

Double consonants are identical consonant letters written together (e.g., dd, ll). In English, they do not lengthen the consonant sound; instead, they typically signal a short vowel before them. This helps decoding in words like add, allot, allure.

Pronunciation Guide

Keep a normal consonant duration. Place the tongue/lips correctly and let airflow continue smoothly—no pause or extra stress between the letters.

Word Analysis

• add /æd/: dd confirms the short vowel /æ/.
• allot /əˈlɒt/: ll does not lengthen /l/; it secures a short preceding vowel.
• allure /əˈlʊr/: spelling shows ll, pronunciation remains a single /l/.

Pitfalls

Avoid gemination. Focus on vowel shortening, not consonant length, and don’t over-articulate the double letters.