Common Silent Letters
Silent B Silent L
• Often silent when it follows M. • Often silent in certain
o Examples: comb, tomb, combinations.
climb, thumb. o Examples: calm, walk, yolk,
could, should.
Silent C
Silent N
• Silent in the combination SC
before E, I, or Y. • Often silent after M.
o Examples: scene, science, o Examples: autumn, hymn,
scissors. column.
Silent D Silent P
• Silent in some words. • Often silent at the beginning of
o Examples: Wednesday, some words.
handkerchief, sandwich. o Examples: pneumonia,
psychology, psalm.
Silent E
Silent S
• Often silent at the end of words,
affecting the vowel sound. • Silent in some words, often in
o Examples: name, bake, combination with I.
plane, give. o Examples: isle, debris,
island.
Silent G
Silent T
• Often silent before N.
o Examples: gnome, sign, • Often silent in some words or
design, foreign. combinations.
o Examples: listen, whistle,
Silent H ballet, castle, depot.
• Silent when following certain Silent U
letters or at the beginning of
some words. • Silent in words after G or Q.
o Examples: hour, honest, o Examples: guard, guitar,
ghost, rhino, vehicle. biscuit, antique, queue.
Silent K Silent W
• Silent before N. • Often silent before R or at the
o Examples: knee, knife, beginning of some words.
knight, knot. o Examples: write, waist,
wreath, sword
