Silent Letters List

Rules of Silent Letters This list contains most of the common silent letters and combinations that cause difficulties for English learners. Here are the rules to help you understand when to use some silent letters, but remember there are usually some exceptions! (Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of all the rules around silent letters, only some of the most common ones that you may come across).

Words with Silent B Rule 1: B is not pronounced after M at the end of a word. Examples: limb, crumb, dumb, comb, bomb, thumb, climb, tomb Rule 2: B is usually not pronounced before T at the end of a root word.** Examples: debt, doubt, debtor, doubtful, subtle, subtleness

Words with Silent C Rule 1: C is not pronounced in the combination SC. Examples: Muscle, scissors, ascent, miscellaneous, fascinate, scenario  Exceptions: Sclera, asclepiad, sclerosis, muscovado, sceptic Rule 2: C is usually redundant before the letters K or Q. Examples: Acquaintance, acknowledge, acquiesce, acquit

Words with Silent D Rule 1: D is not pronounced in the following common words: Handkerchief, Wednesday, sandwich, handsome Rule 2: D is also not pronounced in the combination DG. Pledge, dodge, grudge, hedge

Words with Silent E Rule: E is not pronounced at the end of words, but instead elongates the sound of the vowel before it. Examples: Hope, drive, gave, write, site, grave, bite, hideExceptions: Giraffe, brunette, cassette, gazelle (You may be able to spot a pattern in these words; they have similar combinations in the last syllable. This shows that the exceptions are generally words with unusual stress on the final syllable – but not always! One example would be the word ‘minute’ as in the time-measuring unit.)