The letters that go silent (and why it's not your fault)
English spelling lies to you. Some letters just sit there on the page and make no sound at all — and the words look harder than they sound.
There are three easy patterns to spot:
At the start of a word
- I know the answer. You dialled the wrong number.
At the end of a word
- Climb the stairs. No doubt about it.
The lazy "l" — it vanishes before certain sounds.
- Let's go for a quiet walk. I'll talk to you later. Stay calm.
Try this: say "I know the answer, no doubt about it" out loud. How many silent letters can you hear disappearing?
0:40

