The Alphabet

Kindergarten · English · Study Guide

Learn the 26 letters of the alphabet, both uppercase and lowercase.

The alphabet is a set of letters that we use to write words. In English, there are 26 letters in the alphabet. The letters go in a special order that we always use: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

Each letter has two forms. The big form is called an uppercase letter (or capital letter). The small form is called a lowercase letter. For example, the letter A can be written as a big "A" or a small "a." Both are the same letter — just different sizes.

Letters are special because they each make a sound. When we put sounds together, we can make words! The letter "B" makes the sound at the beginning of "ball" and "bus." The letter "S" makes the sound at the start of "sun" and "snake." Learning your letters is the very first step to reading and writing. Every book, every sign, and every word is made up of these 26 amazing letters!

Key terms

Alphabet

All 26 letters used in the English language, always listed in the same order.

Uppercase

The big form of a letter, like A, B, C (also called a capital letter).

Lowercase

The small form of a letter, like a, b, c.

Letter

One of the 26 symbols in the alphabet that represents a sound.

Vowel

The letters A, E, I, O, U — they make open sounds used in every word.

Flashcards

Alphabet

The 26 letters in order: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z.

Vowels

The letters A, E, I, O, U — every word has at least one vowel.

Consonants

All letters that are NOT vowels, like B, C, D, F, G, H...

Uppercase Letter

A big letter, like A, B, C — used at the start of names and sentences.

Lowercase Letter

A small letter, like a, b, c — used most of the time in writing.

First letter of the alphabet

A — as in apple, ant, and airplane.

Last letter of the alphabet

Z — as in zebra and zipper.

Questions

1. How many letters are in the English alphabet?

   1. 24
   2. 25
   3. 26
   4. 27
   Show answer

   Answer: 26

   The English alphabet has exactly 26 letters, from A to Z.

2. The letter 'A' comes before the letter 'B' in the alphabet.

   Show answer

   Answer: True

   In the alphabet, A comes first, then B, then C — A is always before B.

3. Which of these is an uppercase letter?

   1. a
   2. b
   3. C
   4. d
   Show answer

   Answer: C

   Uppercase letters are the big forms. 'C' is the uppercase version; 'a', 'b', and 'd' are all lowercase.

4. The last letter of the alphabet is ___.

   Show answer

   Answer: z

   Z is the 26th and last letter in the alphabet.

5. Which of these is a vowel?

   1. B
   2. T
   3. E
   4. S
   Show answer

   Answer: E

   The vowels are A, E, I, O, U. 'E' is a vowel; B, T, and S are consonants.

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