Is last an L blend or S blend?

Answered by James Kissner

Last is an example of an “s” final consonant blend. The final blend in “last” is “st”. It is categorized as an “s” blend because the “s” sound comes at the end of the word and is combined with the “t” sound. This combination creates the final consonant blend “st”.

In my personal experience, I remember learning about final consonant blends in elementary school. I was always fascinated by the different sounds created by combining two or more consonants together. I found it interesting how the position of the blend within the word could affect its classification.

When it comes to final blends, they are typically grouped into three categories: “s” blends, “l” blends, and “n” blends. The names of these blends are derived from the beginning letter of the blend. For example, “st” in “last” is an “s” blend because it starts with the letter “s”.

It’s important to note that the classification of a blend as either an “s” blend or an “l” blend depends on the sound it creates at the end of the word, rather than the actual letter used. So even if the letter “s” is not present in the final blend, it can still be classified as an “s” blend if it produces an “s” sound.

In the case of “last”, the final blend “st” creates an “s” sound, as in the word “list” or “cost”. This is why “last” is considered an “s” blend rather than an “l” blend.

To summarize, “last” is an example of an “s” final consonant blend because it ends with the blend “st”, which produces an “s” sound.