First the simple bits…<\/p>\n
The sequence <quaw> is always pronounced kw\u0254\u02d0<\/span>, and in fact occurs in a very few words. \u00a0Squaw<\/em> and squawk<\/em> are the only ones I can think of \u00a0at the moment.<\/p>\n The sequences <ware> and <quare> are pronounced with the vowel e\u0259<\/span>. \u00a0Aware<\/em> and square<\/em> are examples.<\/p>\n Now things get a bit more complicated…<\/p>\n There are many words which contain one of the sequences where the vowel is \u0252<\/span>. Here is a list of some of these:<\/p>\n quaff quality quantity quarrel quarry quash squab squabble squalid squash swallow swan swap waft wallow wan want warren wash what watch<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The word water<\/em> is an oddity. It is of course pronounced \u02c8w\u0254\u02d0t\u0259<\/span>.<\/p>\n As you can see from the above list, if one of the sequences is followed by <r> or <rr> or <l> or <ll>, which \u00a0in turn is followed by a vowel, then the vowel in the sequence is \u0252<\/span>. \u00a0However, if a consonant or nothing follows then the vowel in the sequence is pronounced \u0254\u02d0<\/span>, as in:<\/p>\n quart quarter squall sward swarf swarm walk wall war ward warm warn warp wart wharf<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The word qualm <\/em>is another oddity. It is pronounced kw\u0251\u02d0m<\/span>.<\/p>\n There are some words where the vowel is \u00e6<\/span>. Here are the examples:<\/p>\n quack quango swag swank thwack wag whack wax<\/p><\/blockquote>\n These all have in common the fact that the next sound <\/em>is one of k \u0261 \u014b<\/span>. The words swam <\/em>and wham <\/em>also have \u00e6<\/span>. Thanks to Alex Rotatori for reminding me that the wonderful word quagmire<\/em> has two competing pronunciations: one with \u0252<\/span> and the other with \u00e6<\/span>.<\/p>\n Finally, here are some words where the vowel is e\u026a<\/span>.<\/p>\n quail quake quaver wafer wage wake waif waist wail waive waiver Wales wane waste wave waver way whale<\/p><\/blockquote>\n