There are instances where the letters are written, but not pronounced in words. It is a mystery why they are there then. Nevertheless, here are some examples of words with silent letters:
SILENT 'B'
- climb
- doubt
- dumb
- comb
- crumb
- debt (added 20 Aug 12)
SILENT 'H'
- heir
- herb, herbal
- honest
- honour, honorable, honoraray
- wheel
- whether
SILENT 'K'
- knee
- kneel
- knife
- knob
- knock
- knot
- know, knew, known, knowledge
- knuckle
SILENT 'L'
- calm
- half
- salmon
SILENT 'P"
- physic
- physical, physique
- physics
- pneumonia
- psychiatry, psychotic, psychotherapy, psychiatrist, psychic
SILENT 'S'
- aisle
- Arkansas
- debris
- Illinois
- island
- isle
SILENT 'T' (added on 20 Aug 12)
- beret
- buffet
- castle
- chestnut
- Christmas
- depot
- ditch
- fasten
- kitchen
- listen
- merlot
- mistletoe
- mortgage
- often
- stitch
- valet
- witch
SILENT 'W'
- answer
- sword
- who, whom, whose
- whore
- wrap
- wreath
- wreck
- wrestle
- wrist
- write
- wring
- writ
Do let me know if you come across more words with silent letters!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Verbs and their noun forms
This list is not exhaustive.
There are some words the noun and verb forms that are often mixed up (nouns, verbs):
1. advice, advise
e.g. What advice did you give him?
e.g. The teacher gave good advice.
e.g. Grandfather advises me to work hard from time to time whenever he comes over to visit.
2. complaint, complain
e.g. Mother lodged/filed a complaint against our neighbours for their fortnightly late-night parties.
e.g. "Ah Boy hit me again," Sally complains to Teacher Susan.
3. practice, practise
e.g. I attended volleyball practice after school yesterday for primary four students.
e.g. "If you want to improve in Math, you need to practise, practise and practise..." Brother Bob advised.
4. device, devise (added 19 Aug 12)
e,g, This is a clever device to catch unsuspecting thieves!
e.g We can devise a way to stop theft in the neighbourhood by working hand-in-hand.
I will continue to add more when I can think of more...
There are some words the noun and verb forms that are often mixed up (nouns, verbs):
1. advice, advise
e.g. What advice did you give him?
e.g. The teacher gave good advice.
e.g. Grandfather advises me to work hard from time to time whenever he comes over to visit.
2. complaint, complain
e.g. Mother lodged/filed a complaint against our neighbours for their fortnightly late-night parties.
e.g. "Ah Boy hit me again," Sally complains to Teacher Susan.
3. practice, practise
e.g. I attended volleyball practice after school yesterday for primary four students.
e.g. "If you want to improve in Math, you need to practise, practise and practise..." Brother Bob advised.
4. device, devise (added 19 Aug 12)
e,g, This is a clever device to catch unsuspecting thieves!
e.g We can devise a way to stop theft in the neighbourhood by working hand-in-hand.
I will continue to add more when I can think of more...
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