What are silent letters?
Silent letters are letters that you don't hear when you say the word. They're written but not pronounced.
Why do silent letters exist?
Silent letters often come from:
Old English or Latin/French roots.
Changes in pronunciation over time.
Keeping the spelling of related words similar (like sign and signature).
Common silent letters and examples
Silent “k” (before “n”)
Words: knife, knee, know, knock
Tip: The “k” is always silent in these words.
Silent “w” (before “r”)
Words: write, wrist, wrestle, wrong
Tip: You only pronounce the “r.”
Silent “b” (after “m”)
Words: thumb, lamb, climb, bomb
Tip: The “b” is completely silent.
Silent “g” (before “n”)
Words: gnome, gnat, sign, reign
Tip: The “g” is there, but you don’t say it.
Silent “h”
Words: honest, hour, heir
Tip: Silent “h” usually follows an “o” or is part of tricky word roots.
Silent “e”
Words: cake, home, ride
Tip: It changes the first vowel sound but isn’t pronounced.
Silent “l”
Words: calm, half, yolk, talk
Tip: The “l” hides quietly.
