Here's a puzzle: toll, roll, and doll all end in -oll. So they should rhyme, right? Wrong! While "toll" and "roll" share the same long O sound /oÊŠ/, "doll" has a completely different short O sound /É‘/. Welcome to one of English's quirky vowel patterns!
The -oll Pattern: Two Different Sounds
Most words ending in -oll use the long O sound /oÊŠ/ (like in "go"). However, a few common exceptions use the short O sound /É‘/ (like in "father").
The Majority: Long O /oÊŠ/ (like "go")
Other long O words: knoll, control, enroll, patrol
The Exceptions: Short O /É‘/ (like "father")
Only a handful of -oll words use the short O sound:
Other short O words: moll (informal for a gangster's girlfriend)
Quick Comparison
| Long O /oÊŠ/ Words | Short O /É‘/ Words |
|---|---|
| roll /roʊl/ | doll /dɑl/ |
| toll /toʊl/ | loll /lɑl/ |
| poll /poʊl/ | moll /mɑl/ |
| stroll /stroÊŠl/ | |
| scroll /skroÊŠl/ |
Memory tip: If you're unsure, guess long O. Most -oll words use it. Only "doll" and "loll" are common exceptions you need to memorize.
The -old Pattern: Always Long O
Great news! Words ending in -old are consistent. They always use the long O sound /oÊŠ/.
Other -old words: mold, behold, unfold, withhold, household, scaffold
The -olt Pattern: Always Long O
Like -old, words ending in -olt consistently use the long O sound /oÊŠ/.
Other -olt words: revolt, thunderbolt
The -all Pattern: The "aw" Sound
Words ending in -all use a different sound entirely: /ɔl/ (like "aw" + L). This is neither the long O nor the short O.
Other -all words: all, stall, install, recall, football, basketball, overall
Summary: The Four Patterns
| Pattern | Sound | Examples | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| -oll | Usually /oÊŠ/ | roll, toll, poll | doll /É‘/, loll /É‘/ |
| -old | Always /oÊŠ/ | gold, cold, bold | None |
| -olt | Always /oÊŠ/ | bolt, colt, jolt | None |
| -all | Always /É”/ | ball, call, fall | None |
Why Does This Happen?
English spelling reflects the history of the language. The words "roll" and "toll" came from Old French and maintained their long O sound. "Doll" has a different origin (a pet name for "Dorothy") and developed differently.
The -old, -olt, and -all patterns are more consistent because the consonant combinations (ld, lt, ll after a) historically prevented the vowel from shifting.
Tips for Spanish Speakers
Spanish speakers often struggle with these patterns because:
- Spanish has only one "o" sound, while English has multiple (long /oÊŠ/, short /É‘/, and /É”/)
- Double consonants work differently in Spanish (ll makes a "y" sound)
Practice tip: For the long O in "roll," think of saying "row" + L. For the short O in "doll," think of the "a" in "father" + L.
Practice Exercise
Read these sentences aloud, paying attention to the different vowel sounds:
- I paid the toll to stroll across the bridge with my doll.
- The cold wind made the ball roll down the hall.
- She was bold enough to call and tell him the news.
- The colt ran past the tall wall.
- They sold the gold at the mall.
Related Patterns to Explore
Once you master these, explore related vowel patterns:
- The Short A Sound for mastering /æ/
- Practice all English vowels