* Causes difficulty in spelling or pronunciation: Some vowels have multiple pronunciations, or their sound changes depending on the surrounding letters. This can make spelling tricky, especially for learners.
* Creates a "catchy" or "annoying" sound: Certain vowel combinations, like "oi" or "ough," might be considered somewhat "pesky" due to their unique and sometimes challenging sounds.
* Is a frequent source of spelling errors: Vowels are often left out or misspelled, especially in words with silent vowels or unusual vowel combinations.
Example: You might call the vowel "u" in "cough" a "pesky vowel" because its sound is unexpected and doesn't match its spelling.
Essentially, a "pesky vowel" is a vowel that causes problems or frustration for a speaker or writer.