2.12 וּ is usually Shureq, but could be Vav with a Dagesh Forte

When a Vav has a Dagesh Forte, it looks like this וּ and, therefore, is identical to a Shureq וּ, but it is surprisingly easy to tell the difference

  • A Shureq will never have a separate vowel following or preceding
  • If the preceding consonant has a vowel, the וּ is a Vav with a Dagesh - that’s the rule we just learned
  • A Dagesh is a forte if, and only if, it’s preceded by a vowel that is not a Sheva
  • Also, if there is an additional vowel either under or over the same letter, it can’t be a Shureq as there are never two vowels in a row (and there is no diphthong involving a Shureq)
  • Examples:
    • בוּ = Shureq - no preceding (or following) vowel
    • בָוְּ = Vav with Dagesh Forte (remember the rule: the preceding letter has a vowel that is not a sheva)

When you see וּ, it is usually a Shureq

Similarly, וֹ is usually the vowel Holem-Vav, but it could be a consonantal Vav with a Holem

  • A somewhat similar situation happens with וֹ
    • Consider the word, מִצְוֹת
      • This is a consonantal Vav with a Holem, pronounced “vo”
    • Look for a vowel or Sheva in the previous letter
      • If there is neither, it’s Holem Vav pronounced “o”
      • If there is a vowel or Sheva, it’s consonantal Vav with a Holem pronounced “vo”
    • With מִצְוֹת, the previous consonant has a Sheva ending the syllable
      • Since the next syllable cannot start with a vowel, this has to be consonantal Vav with a Holem
      • Not “mitzot”, but “mitzVOT”

מִצְוֹת not withstanding, most words that end in וֹת are going to be Holem Vav = “…OT”