/ə/ — the schwa the most common sound in English

What is schwa?

Schwa is the "lazy" unstressed vowel — a short, relaxed sound that any vowel letter can make when it's not stressed.

Main spellings (~80%)

⟨a⟩ ~40%

The most common spelling, especially at the start of words.

⟨o⟩ ~25%

⟨e⟩ ~15%

Unusual spellings (~20%)

⟨ou⟩

In adjectives ending in -ous.

⟨i⟩

⟨u⟩

⟨oi⟩

⟨ah⟩

⟨ai⟩