long e

Rule Core

The e–e long vowel rule states that when a word follows a consonant + e + consonant + e pattern, the first e is pronounced /iː/ (its letter name), while the final e is silent and signals vowel length.

Articulation Guide

For /iː/, raise the front of the tongue close to the hard palate, keep the lips relaxed and slightly spread, and let the airflow remain steady and unbroken.

Word Analysis

• delete → deletion: delete clearly shows the e–e pattern; in deletion, the spelling changes, but the long vowel origin remains.
• prosperity: contains no e–e structure; the vowel is short, serving as a contrast case.
• purposefully: despite multiple e’s, stress shift and morphology block the e–e rule.

Pitfalls

Do not generalize length from spelling alone; the rule depends on a precise orthographic pattern and stable stress.