* /w/ (as in "wet")
* /j/ (as in "yes")
Semivowels are sounds that are like vowels but function like consonants in a word. They have a vowel-like quality, but they are produced with more constriction in the vocal tract than vowels, and they can only occur at the beginning or end of a syllable.
How to tell if a sound is a semivowel:
* It sounds like a vowel: /w/ and /j/ both have a vowel-like quality.
* It acts like a consonant: They cannot stand alone as a syllable. They must be followed by a vowel sound.
* They can occur at the beginning or end of a syllable: For example, "wet" starts with /w/ and "boy" ends with /j/.
Other examples of semivowels in English:
* "wet"
* "will"
* "you"
* "yes"
* "joy"
* "why"
* "how"
* "away"
Let me know if you have any other questions!