Open & Closed Syllables
V/CV and VC/V
An open syllable, V/CV, ends in a vowel and has a long vowel sound, such as the first syllable of even.
A closed syllable VC/V ends in a consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable has a short sound, such as the first syllable in frigid.
The first syllable of the word remaining is an open syllable because it ends in a vowel: re/main/ing. It has a long vowel sound.
The first syllable of the word finish is a closed syllable because it ends in a consonant: fin/ish. It has a short vowel sound.