R-Controlled Vowel Worksheets - Free Printable

Let’s solve this step by step.

We are sorting words that have R-controlled vowels — these are vowel sounds that change because of the letter “r” right after them. The three types we’re using are:

- “ar” like in *car* or *star*
- “or” like in *for* or *horn*
- “er”, “ir”, “ur” — all make the same sound, like in *her*, *bird*, or *turn*

Now let’s look at each word and decide which group it belongs to.

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List of words to sort:
surf, error, card, bark, perk, dirt, barn, her, fork, cut, germ, stir, torn, park, hurt

Wait — “cut” doesn’t have an R-controlled vowel! It has a short “u” sound. But since the worksheet says “sort the words with r-controlled vowels”, maybe “cut” is a trick word? Let’s check:
→ “cut” = /kʌt/ — no “r” sound affecting the vowel → so it does NOT belong in any of the groups. We’ll leave it out.

Same with “perk”? Wait — “perk” ends with “erk” — that’s an “er” sound → yes, it belongs under “er/ir/ur”.

Let’s go one by one:

1. surf → “ur” sound → goes under er/ir/ur
2. error → ends with “or” → but wait, “error” is pronounced /ˈɛrər/ — the first “e” + “r” makes an “er” sound, and the second “o” + “r” also makes an “er” sound (in American English). Actually, both syllables have the “er” sound → so er/ir/ur
3. card → “ar” → ar
4. bark → “ar” → ar
5. perk → “er” → er/ir/ur
6. dirt → “ir” → er/ir/ur
7. barn → “ar” → ar
8. her → “er” → er/ir/ur
9. fork → “or” → or
10. cut → no r-control → skip
11. germ → “er” → er/ir/ur
12. stir → “ir” → er/ir/ur
13. torn → “or” → or
14. park → “ar” → ar
15. hurt → “ur” → er/ir/ur

Now let’s group them:

✔ ar: card, bark, barn, park
✔ or: fork, torn
✔ er/ir/ur: surf, error, perk, dirt, her, germ, stir, hurt

Wait — did I miss any? Let’s count original list minus “cut” = 14 words.

Grouped:
- ar: 4 words
- or: 2 words
- er/ir/ur: 8 words → total 14 → good.

But let’s double-check “error” — some might think it’s “or”, but actually in most pronunciations, both syllables are “er” sounds. For example, “err” rhymes with “her”, and “or” at the end is also softened to “er” in many dialects. So yes, “error” fits best under “er/ir/ur”.

Also, “perk” — definitely “er” sound.

“Torn” — clear “or” sound.

“Hurt” — “ur” → same as “er” sound.

All set.

Final Answer:

ar: card, bark, barn, park
or: fork, torn
er/ir/ur: surf, error, perk, dirt, her, germ, stir, hurt