3.6 Rules for Vocal Sheva

Figure 3.7: Syllable positions irrespective to accent

Learn the four rules for differentiating a VOCAL Sheva from a Silent Sheva

FOUR VOCAL SHEVA CLUES

1. Word-initial Sheva
2. SECOND of two Sheva within a word
3. Under a consonant with a Dagesh Forte, OR
4. After an unaccented long vowel⁵⁰
   

Gutturals reject VOCAL Sheva; they take Hateph vowels instead

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50. This one may seem random, but it is relatively common with long vowels in a propretonic position. These vowels often but do not always reduce. Unchangeable long vowels will never reduce. The word above is not kōṯ-vim but kō-ṯᵉ-vîm.↩︎