A split digraph is a pair of letters that work together to represent one phoneme, but are separated by another letter.
For example, in the word make, the letters a and e work together to represent the /ai/ sound.
a-e → /ai/
The a and e are separated by the letter k, which is why they are called a split digraph.
Split digraphs are an important part of phonics and help children read and spell a wider range of words.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about split digraphs, including examples, common split digraph words, how to teach them and ways to practise them at home.
What Is a Split Digraph?
A split digraph is two letters that represent one phoneme but are separated by another letter.
For example:
a-e → /ai/
in:
make
The a and e work together even though the letter k comes between them.
Other common split digraphs include:
- a-e – make
- e-e – these
- i-e – time
- o-e – home
- u-e – cube
Split digraphs are sometimes called “magic e” or “split vowel digraphs”.
The 5 Common Split Digraphs
There are five commonly taught split digraphs:
| Split Digraph | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a-e | /ai/ | make |
| e-e | /ee/ | these |
| i-e | /igh/ | time |
| o-e | /oa/ | home |
| u-e | /yoo/ or /oo/ | cube |
The pronunciation of u-e can vary depending on the word and accent.
a-e
The split digraph a-e commonly represents the /ai/ sound.
Examples include:
- make
- cake
- game
- name
- same
- take
- plane
- snake
For example:
m – a-e – k
→ make
The a and e work together to represent the /ai/ sound.
e-e
The split digraph e-e can represent the /ee/ sound.
Examples include:
- these
- theme
- complete
- athlete
The e and e work together even though another letter or letters may come between them.
The e-e pattern is less common than the other split digraphs, so children may encounter fewer familiar examples.
i-e
The split digraph i-e commonly represents the /igh/ sound.
Examples include:
- time
- like
- bike
- hide
- five
- smile
- white
- drive
For example:
t – i-e – m
→ time
The i and e work together to represent the /igh/ sound.
o-e
The split digraph o-e commonly represents the /oa/ sound.
Examples include:
- home
- hope
- bone
- stone
- note
- those
- phone
- rose
For example:
h – o-e – m
→ home
u-e
The split digraph u-e can represent different pronunciations, including /yoo/ and /oo/.
Examples include:
- cube
- tube
- tune
- June
- rule
- flute
For example:
c – u-e – b
→ cube
The pronunciation of u-e can vary depending on the word and accent.
Why Are They Called Split Digraphs?
The word split refers to the fact that the two letters representing the phoneme are separated.
For example:
make
The a and e work together:
a … e
but the k comes between them.
This makes a-e a split digraph.
Compare this with a regular digraph such as:
sh
where the two letters are next to each other.
Split Digraphs vs Digraphs
A digraph contains two letters representing one phoneme, and the letters are next to each other.
For example:
sh → /sh/
A split digraph also contains two letters representing one phoneme, but the letters are separated.
For example:
a-e → /ai/
| Type | Example | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Digraph | sh | ship |
| Split digraph | a-e | make |
[Learn more about digraphs →]
Split Digraphs vs Trigraphs
A trigraph contains three letters representing one phoneme.
For example:
igh → /igh/
A split digraph contains two letters representing one phoneme, with another letter between them.
For example:
i-e → /igh/
| Type | Example | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Digraph | sh | ship |
| Trigraph | igh | night |
| Split digraph | i-e | time |
[Learn more about trigraphs →]
How to Teach Split Digraphs
When teaching split digraphs, help children understand that the two letters work together even though they are separated.
Start with one split digraph at a time.
For example:
a-e
/ai/
Then introduce familiar words such as:
make
cake
name
game
Encourage children to identify the two letters that work together.
Step 1: Introduce the Grapheme
Show children:
a-e
Explain that the a and e work together to represent the /ai/ sound.
Say:
/ai/
Step 2: Find the Split Digraph
Show children words such as:
make
cake
name
Ask:
Can you find the a-e split digraph?
Help children identify the a at the beginning and the e at the end.
Step 3: Blend the Word
Help children blend the phonemes.
For example:
/m/ /ai/ /k/
→ make
Another example:
/t/ /igh/ /m/
→ time
Step 4: Segment the Word
Say a word and ask children to identify the phonemes.
For example:
make
→ /m/ /ai/ /k/
Then ask children to choose the graphemes:
m – a-e – k
This helps children apply their knowledge when spelling.
Step 5: Read Split Digraph Sentences
Once children are confident reading individual words, practise using split digraph words in sentences.
For example:
I can make a cake.
The bike is at home.
I like the white kite.
The stone is in the hole.
Reading split digraph words in sentences helps children apply their knowledge in context.
Common Split Digraph Words
a-e Words
- make
- cake
- name
- game
- same
- take
- plane
- snake
- plate
- grape
e-e Words
- these
- theme
- complete
- athlete
i-e Words
- time
- like
- bike
- hide
- five
- smile
- white
- drive
- kite
- slide
o-e Words
- home
- hope
- bone
- stone
- note
- phone
- rose
- those
- nose
- joke
u-e Words
- cube
- tube
- tune
- June
- rule
- flute
- rude
- huge
Split Digraphs and Reading
Recognising split digraphs helps children decode unfamiliar words.
When children see a word such as:
inside
they can identify the i-e pattern and use it to help work out the pronunciation.
For example:
i-e → /igh/
Recognising familiar spelling patterns can make reading more accurate and fluent.
Split Digraphs and Spelling
Split digraphs are also important when children are learning to spell.
For example, when spelling:
time
children hear:
/t/ /igh/ /m/
They then need to choose the appropriate graphemes:
t – i-e – m
Similarly:
home
→ /h/ /oa/ /m/
→ h – o-e – m
Children should practise both reading and spelling words containing split digraphs.
How to Practise Split Digraphs at Home
You can practise split digraphs through short, simple activities.
Split Digraph Hunt
Choose a split digraph and look for it in books.
For example:
Can you find a-e?
Word Sorting
Sort words according to the split digraph they contain.
a-e → make, cake, name
i-e → time, bike, five
o-e → home, stone, hope
Build a Word
Use magnetic letters to build words.
For example:
m + a + k + e
→ make
Ask your child:
Which two letters are working together?
Split Digraph Spotting
Write a selection of words and ask children to circle the split digraph.
For example:
cake
time
home
cube
Read Split Digraph Words
Create a list of words containing the split digraph your child is learning.
Split Digraph Sentences
Write simple sentences containing familiar words.
For example:
I like my bike.
The cake is on the plate.
We went home.
Word Building
Change one letter to create a new word.
For example:
make → cake → lake
or:
bike → like → hike
This helps children recognise the spelling pattern across different words.
Free Split Digraph Phonics Resources
Ready to practise split digraphs?
Explore our free printable split digraph resources designed to help children recognise, read and spell words containing common split digraphs.
Split Digraph Flashcards
Practise common split digraphs with printable phonics flashcards.
[Explore Split Digraph Flashcards →]
Split Digraph Worksheets
Reinforce split digraph recognition, blending, word reading and spelling.
[Explore Split Digraph Worksheets →]
Split Digraph Word Lists
Use printable word lists to practise reading and spelling words containing split digraphs.
[Explore Split Digraph Word Lists →]
When Are Split Digraphs Taught?
Split digraphs are commonly introduced during Phase 5 of phonics programmes based on Letters and Sounds.
Children build on the grapheme-phoneme knowledge they developed during earlier phases and learn that some vowel sounds can be represented using split digraphs.
For example:
a-e → /ai/
i-e → /igh/
o-e → /oa/
u-e → /yoo/ or /oo/
The exact sequence and terminology can vary between phonics programmes.
[Explore Phase 5 Phonics →]
Split Digraphs FAQs
What is a split digraph?
A split digraph is two letters that work together to represent one phoneme but are separated by another letter. For example, a-e in make.
What are the 5 split digraphs?
The commonly taught split digraphs are:
a-e, e-e, i-e, o-e and u-e.
What is an example of a split digraph?
a-e in make is an example of a split digraph. The a and e work together to represent the /ai/ sound.
Is a-e a split digraph?
Yes. a-e is a split digraph commonly representing the /ai/ phoneme, as in make.
Is i-e a split digraph?
Yes. i-e commonly represents the /igh/ phoneme, as in time and bike.
Is o-e a split digraph?
Yes. o-e commonly represents the /oa/ phoneme, as in home and stone.
Is u-e a split digraph?
Yes. u-e is a commonly taught split digraph. It can represent different pronunciations, including /yoo/ and /oo/.
Why is it called a split digraph?
It is called a split digraph because the two letters representing one phoneme are separated by another letter.
What is the difference between a digraph and a split digraph?
A regular digraph has two letters next to each other, such as sh. A split digraph has two letters representing one phoneme that are separated, such as a-e in make.
What is the difference between a split digraph and a trigraph?
A split digraph contains two letters representing one phoneme, while a trigraph contains three letters representing one phoneme.
When are split digraphs taught?
Split digraphs are commonly introduced during Phase 5 in phonics programmes based on Letters and Sounds.
How do I teach split digraphs?
Introduce one split digraph at a time, practise identifying it in words, blend words containing the pattern and practise segmenting words for spelling.
Continue Learning Phonics
Split digraphs are an important part of children’s developing phonics knowledge and are particularly important during Phase 5.
Or continue exploring our phonics guides: