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Silent Letters

Letters we write but don't pronounce: knife, psychology, doubt

beginner

When to Use Silent Letters

  • •Silent K before N: knife, knee, know, knight, knock.
  • •Silent P before S/N: psychology, pneumonia, psalm.
  • •Silent B after M: climb, comb, lamb, thumb, bomb.
  • •Silent W before R: write, wrong, wrist, wrap, wreck.
  • •Silent GH: night, light, thought, daughter, weight.

How to Form Silent Letters

Affirmative (+)

Spell with silent letter; pronounce without it

Negative (-)

Same principle

Question (?)

Same principle

💡 Silent letters often come from historical pronunciation or borrowed words.

Examples of Silent Letters

✓knife /naɪf/

✗knife /knaɪf/

K is silent before N.

✓psychology /saɪˈkɒlədʒi/

✗psychology /psaɪˈkɒlədʒi/

P is silent before S.

✓doubt /daʊt/

✗doubt /daʊbt/

B is silent in doubt, debt, subtle.

Common Mistakes with Silent Letters

💡 Practice Tips for Silent Letters

  • • KN words: K silent (know, knee, knife, knock, knight).
  • • WR words: W silent (write, wrong, wrap, wrist).
  • • MB words: B silent at end (climb, comb, lamb, thumb).
  • • GH words: often silent (night, light, thought, daughter).
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.Which letter is silent in 'knife'? 
  2. 2.Which letter is silent in 'climb'? 
  3. 3.Which letter is silent in 'write'? 
  4. Question 4: Which letter is silent in 'doubt'? (one letter)blank
    4.Which letter is silent in 'doubt'? (one letter)
  5. Question 5: Which two letters are silent in 'night'? (Hint: think of -ight words.)blank
    5.Which two letters are silent in 'night'? (Hint: think of -ight words.)
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