Tap is a short vowel?

You're asking about the sound made by the letter combination "tap" in words.

It's not quite that simple.

* The "a" in "tap" is a short vowel sound. However, it's not just the letter "a" that creates the short sound. The "t" and "p" surrounding the "a" work together to create the short vowel sound.

* Short vowels are sounds that are typically quick and sharp, like the vowel sound in "cat," "dog," or "hot."

So, while the "a" in "tap" is a short vowel sound, it's important to remember that the surrounding consonants play a role in creating that sound.