A closed syllable typically follows which pattern?

A closed syllable typically ends in a consonant. In phonetics and syllable structure, a closed syllable is defined as one that has a vowel sound followed by a consonant, which effectively 'closes' the syllable. This structure makes the vowel sound usually short, as in words like "cat," "sit," and "best," where the consonant at the end of the syllable prevents the vowel from being pronounced as a long sound.

Understanding the structure of closed syllables is essential for teaching reading and phonemic awareness since recognizing this pattern helps with the development of decoding skills in children. A syllable that ends in a vowel, follows a long sound, or is characterized by a short sound can be seen in other syllable types, but none of these accurately describes a closed syllable, thereby reinforcing the importance of the consonant ending in this specific context.