Which statement about the letter Y is true?

Which statement about the letter Y is true?

• A. Y is never used in English words
• B. Y is sometimes a vowel
• C. Y is always a consonant
• D. Y is not mentioned

Answer: (B)

Y can act as both a vowel and a consonant in English. It behaves as a vowel when it carries the syllable’s vowel sound on its own or provides a vowel-like sound in endings, as in gym, rhythm, myth, cry, or by. It acts as a consonant when it starts a syllable with the /j/ sound, as in yellow or yarn. Because Y can function as a vowel in some words and as a consonant in others, the statement that Y is sometimes a vowel is true. The other descriptions aren’t accurate: Y is indeed used in English words, it isn’t always a consonant, and it isn’t something not mentioned.

Y can act as both a vowel and a consonant in English. It behaves as a vowel when it carries the syllable’s vowel sound on its own or provides a vowel-like sound in endings, as in gym, rhythm, myth, cry, or by. It acts as a consonant when it starts a syllable with the /j/ sound, as in yellow or yarn. Because Y can function as a vowel in some words and as a consonant in others, the statement that Y is sometimes a vowel is true. The other descriptions aren’t accurate: Y is indeed used in English words, it isn’t always a consonant, and it isn’t something not mentioned.