The Schwa with -ER, -AR and -OR Endings

When these three spellings are used as endings, they usually sound like -ur, a schwa plus the R sound. This also works with similar endings like -ard.

Please remember that when these spellings occur in the middle of a word (not the end), other sounds are possible. The most common sound of ER is -ur, the schwa sound, but it can also have a short E or long E, as in very or period. The sounds of AR and OR as middle letters will be discussed in the next unit. 

Use the following lists to practice the schwa sound with these endings.

Watch Video Lesson

Most of the words above have stress on the 1st syllable.

These words which have stress on the 2nd syllable: empower, computer, recruiter, particular, familiar and superior.

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