Language/English/Pronunciation/Silent-Letters

HOW DO SILENT LETTERS WORK?

There aren't any particular rules, but there are common combinations that create silent letters. Here are some examples:

• B after M or before T (e.g., doubt or crumb)
• C after S in some words (e.g., scissors or ascent)
• G before N (e.g., gnat or foreign)
• K before N (e.g., knee or knowledge)
• N after M (e.g., hymn or column)
• P before S, T, or N (e.g., psychic, receipt, or pneumonia)
• T before S in the middle of a word (e.g., castle or listen)

W before R or sometimes after S (e.g., write or sword)