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IR words

The third most common way to spell "er" -- IR

"er" is the most common, "ur" comes in second; "ir" is relatively uncommon. Many of these words are related to roundness: circle, twirl, skirt, girdle, for example. Multisyllable words with IR often derive from words from which you can hear the "I" sound - admiration (from admire), perspiration (from perspire), expiration (expire), inspiration (inspire). The "circ" words can also be used together: circle, circular, circumference, encircle, circumstance, circumvent, circus, circuit (note that the "u" in circuit is there to protect the C from sounding like an S), circumlocution, circumnavigation, circadian...

This list contains words which only use closed, open, vce and r-controlled syllables.

These words include schwa sounds and patterns such as -tion