Which type of words can typically be decoded by sounding them out?

The ability to decode words by sounding them out is primarily associated with regular words, which follow predictable phonetic patterns. Regular words adhere to common spelling rules and can be broken down into their individual phonemes. When a reader encounters a regular word, they can typically blend the sounds together to read the word accurately.

For example, words like "cat" or "dog" consist of straightforward sound-letter correspondences that make them accessible for decoding. This emphasizes the foundational nature of phonics instruction, where the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters is taught, allowing students to effectively read a wide variety of words.

In contrast, other types of words, such as irregular words, do not follow standard phonetic rules and cannot be easily sounded out. Words like "said" or "yacht" illustrate this point, as their pronunciation does not correspond directly to their spelling. Rime words and phonograms focus on specific patterns, but they are not as universally applicable to decoding as regular words are. Thus, regular words stand out as the type most easily decoded through sounding them out.