By Margaret Morris | November 7, 2018
Silent letters are those that are important to the correct spelling of words but are not pronounced when speaking. There are some general rules about these silent letters but as always in English there are always exceptions to the rule! This is the first article in a series of 4 on the topic of silent letters in English.
Silent B: The letter B is silent when it follows the letter M. Examples: bomb, climb, crumb, dumb, lamb, limb, numb, thumb, plumber, tomb, womb, catacomb, comb
The letter B is also silent when it occurs before the letter T. Examples: subtle, debt, doubt, and doubtful.
Silent C: The letter C is silent when it is in the letter combination of SC. Examples: scissors, ascent, fascinate, muscle.
The letter C is also silent before the letters K and Q. Examples: block, puck, lock, acknowledge, aqua, acquit, acquiesce.
Silent D: The letter D is silent when it comes just before the letters N and G. Examples: Wednesday, pledge, grudge, cadge.
The letter D is also not pronounced in the following common words: handsome, handkerchief, sandwich.
Silent E: When the letter E comes at the end of words it is usually not pronounced. Examples: bike, table, fore, come, example.
Letter E is also silent before the letter D in the second and third form of verbs. Examples: fixed, smuggled, begged, bored.
Would you like an audio recording of how to correctly pronounce these words? If so, please send me a message using my contact form. Then I will send you an audio file that explains these rules and has a recording of each word .
As a language enthusiast with a deep understanding of linguistics and phonetics, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of silent letters in the English language, offering a nuanced perspective on the topic. My extensive experience in language analysis and communication empowers me to provide insights that go beyond the surface, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of silent letters.
Now, let's break down the concepts presented in the article by Margaret Morris on silent letters:
-
Silent B:
- Silent when following the letter M: bomb, climb, crumb, dumb, lamb, limb, numb, thumb, plumber, tomb, womb, catacomb, comb.
- Silent before the letter T: subtle, debt, doubt, doubtful.
-
Silent C:
- Silent in the combination SC: scissors, ascent, fascinate, muscle.
- Silent before the letters K and Q: block, puck, lock, acknowledge, aqua, acquit, acquiesce.
-
Silent D:
- Silent before the letters N and G: Wednesday, pledge, grudge, cadge.
- Silent in certain common words: handsome, handkerchief, sandwich.
-
Silent E:
- Usually not pronounced when it comes at the end of words: bike, table, fore, come, example.
- Silent before the letter D in the second and third form of verbs: fixed, smuggled, begged, bored.
Understanding these rules is crucial for accurate spelling and pronunciation in English. The article also offers an additional resource—an audio recording—to reinforce the correct pronunciation of these words. This auditory component enhances the learning experience, providing learners with a practical tool to grasp the nuances of silent letters.
In conclusion, the mastery of silent letters involves recognizing patterns and exceptions within the language, and the provided article serves as a valuable guide for individuals aiming to navigate this aspect of English linguistics effectively.
