Here's why:
* Short vowel sound: The vowel sound in "gate" is a short "a" sound, similar to the "a" in "cat" or "hat".
* Spelling vs. sound: The "a" in "gate" is followed by a consonant ("t") and then a silent "e". This combination typically indicates a short vowel sound.
Examples of long vowel words:
* "ate" - The "a" makes a long "a" sound.
* "time" - The "i" makes a long "i" sound.
* "hope" - The "o" makes a long "o" sound.