Sintering of alumina powder was studied in the presence of Y-Si oxide and oxynitride additives. The main crystalline phase of the sintering aids pre-reacted at $1400^{circ}C$ was $alpha$ - $Y_2$$SiO_2$>$O_7$. Y-N apatite was co-existed in the Si-40N sintering aid because of its high content of N. During the sintering process, liquid phases were formed by the reaction between additives and alumina, and these liquid phases promote the densification of alumina. SEM micrographs showed that uniform grain growth occurred in the system with oxide additive(Si-0N). In the case of oxynitride additive system(Si-20N and Si-40N), bimodal microstructure was observed due to the exaggerated grain growth, As the nitrogen content in the additive system increased the exaggerated grain growth occurred extensively. Bloating, which seemed to be originated by the liberation of $N_2$ gas, occurred un the Si-40N oxynitride additive system.