Silent letters are letters in words that are written but not pronounced. They are important for spelling and can change how a word looks without changing how it sounds.
Silent letters often appear in patterns. Learning these patterns will help you read and spell new words correctly.
The letter k is silent when it comes before the letter n at the beginning of a word.
Think of the word as starting with the n sound. The k is written but never spoken.
The letter w is silent when it comes before the letter r at the beginning of a word.
Say the word as if it starts with r. The w is silent but helps with spelling.
The letter b is silent when it comes after m at the end of a word.
When you see mb at the end of a word, only say the m sound. The b is silent.
The letter h is sometimes silent, especially after the letter g or at the beginning of certain words.
Listen carefully when reading. Some words look like they should start with an h sound, but the h is silent.
Silent letters can make reading tricky. Paying attention to spelling patterns will help you recognize them quickly.
Underline the silent letter when practicing. Say the word slowly, then notice which letter is not pronounced.