30+ Bossy R Controlled Vowel Words List

We have been studying different types of sound produced by vowels. So moving further, in this session we would be working on the ‘R’ controlled words. 

Basically, when a vowel is followed by an “r”, then the “r” changes the sound the vowel is making. Therefore, these vowels are called r-controlled vowels. You would also notice that these words are referred to as “bossy r”. This is because of the ‘R’ is a dominating vowel which makes a new sound when the word is pronounced. 

Rules for Using R-Controlled Vowels

  • When the vowel “a” is followed by the “vowel “r” then it will make the sound you hear with the words “bar” or “car”. 
  • When the “o” is followed by the letter “r”, it will make the sound you will hear while pronouncing the word “corn”. 
  • The words “ur”, “ir”, and “er” makes the same sound of /er/. For instance, you can listen to the words “bird”, “fur”, and “her”. 
Note: It is important for you to learn to recognize and practice words containing r-controlled vowels.

Therefore the controlled “R” words are the words that are controlled by the letter “R”. Let’s understand this in a better way through examples. 

Most of the controlled “ar” words are like: “Bar”, “Car”, “Far”, “Hard”, and also “star”. All these words produce the “ar” sound with the letter “R”.

When you observe the Long A word, then they are not controlled by the letter R and make the “air” sound. For instance, you can check the words like – “Air”, “Fair”, “Care”, “Dare”, “Stare”, “Scare”.

R Controlled Syllables – “Er” , “Ir”, “Or” and “Ur” Sound

  • All the above words make “er” sound. Some of the examples of the Controlled R words are: “Water”, “Her”, “Later”, “Winter”. 
  • Examples of “Ur” controlled R words – “Fur”, “Purr”, “Turn”, and “Burn”.
  • Examples of the “Ir” controlled  R words are: “Girl”, “Bird” and “Third”. 

Now let us see some examples of the long vowel “er”, “ir”, “ur” which is not controlled by the letter R. 

  • Word examples of the word “er” that produce the sound “ear” – Here, Peer, Steer, or Ear. 
  • Word example of the word “ir” that produce the sound “l-er” – Fire, Tire, Hire, Wire. 
  • Word example that produces the sound “you-r” – Cure, Pure, Furious.
  • The “or” sounding words are Or, For, Born, Sport, Thorn. 

Let’s have a list of words where sound is controlled by r following the vowel.

List of Bossy R-Controlled Vowel Words

apartThe three friends were never seen apart. * 
hardlyHe mumbled on the telephone so quietly that I could hardly hear a word. 
sharpThat knife looks very sharp. 
stormThe trees shook in the storm. 
thornYou must not pluck the rose with thorns.
firstHer first dog was a poodle. 
curbA curb is on the side of a sidewalk. * 
batterMake a batter from flour and milk. 
girlSue is a very slim girl. 

curl
Her hair began to curl. 

ever
Have you ever broken a bone? 

burn
Be careful not to burn yourself on the candle. 
sports If you are in school then take part in all the sports activities. 
scarf You should drive slow to save the scarf from strong wind. 
harmed You should ensure not to harm street animals. 
porchYou pulled a leaf off the aloe vera plant beside the porch, split it and applied the gel to the cut.
parkThere are a lot of controversy over whether or not wolves and tigers should be released into the park.
stirYou can put all the chocolate into a bowl, then stir in a ladleful of the sauce from the casserole.

Conclusion:

Now, you have understood properly about the R controlled words and how they are usually pronounced. With this session, you can enhance your pronunciation skills and also help others. Stay tuned to Englishbix.com for more updates. 

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