Silent "E"
The silent "e" in English (the "e" at the end of so many words) is also sometimes known as the "magic e," because it performs several functions. Even though the "e" is silent, it affects pronunciation in different ways.
When it follows a vowel, it makes it long (e.g. plate says "A," and wrote says "O.") In other words, all vowels "say their name" (except "y" which has the same pronunciation as the long "i" (e.g. byte.)
When it follows "c" and "g," it makes their sounds soft (e.g. dance, large, gym, cent.)
When it follows, "th," it makes it vocal (e.g. teethe, bathe, clothe) and also changes the meaning of the word.
All syllables must have a vowel in them--even if the vowel is not pronounced. The silent "e" adds that vowel (e.g. tickle, puzzle, bundle.)
It shows that the word is not plural (e.g. dense, tease and lapse.)
It clarifies the meaning of certain words (e.g. by -> bye, aw -> awe.)
"i," "u," and "v" are very rarely the last letter in a word--because a silent "e" always follows them.
And sometimes, "silent e" takes a break and does nothing to the word (e.g. are, come, done.)
Naturally, there are exceptions to all these rules (this is English, after all!) but in most cases, these rules apply and are useful to know.
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