Word Formation & Intervening Vowels
Understand the rule of intervening vowels: why third-place vowels are placed before the following stroke.
Overview
When two consonants are joined, placing a third-place vowel at the end of the first stroke can create confusion with the beginning of the second stroke. Pitman solves this with the Third-Place Intervening Vowel Rule.
Key Rules to Remember
- ✓First-place vowels after the first stroke are placed after that stroke.
- ✓Second-place vowels after the first stroke are placed after that stroke.
- ✓Third-place vowels are written BEFORE the SECOND stroke in the 3rd position.
Detailed Pitman Rules
The Intervening Third-Place Vowel Rule
To avoid ambiguous angles in corner joints, all third-place vowels between two strokes are transferred to the preceding side of the following stroke at the 3rd place.