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Silent P words

P is silent at the start of the Greek clusters PS-, PN- and PT-, which English kept in spelling but never pronounced word-initially. So psychology begins on an S sound and pneumonia on an N. Receipt and cupboard are separate cases where the P was added or absorbed.


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The words

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Sign, design, gnome, champagne: the G disappears before N. Hear the correct pronunciation of each.
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Autumn, column, hymn: an N that vanishes after M at the end of a word. Practise these MN endings.
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Wednesday, handkerchief, handsome: the D drops out in normal speech. Hear how they really sound.
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Scissors, muscle, science: the C is written but silent. Practise these tricky SC and CK spellings.
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Island, aisle, debris, Illinois: words hiding a silent S. Hear each one said the right way.
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Guess, guitar, tongue, biscuit: a U that only exists to protect the G. Practise these spellings.
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Keep practising

Browse every practice list or the word index, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.

To read the rules behind these words, see the pronunciation guides — including silent letters, word stress and American vs British. Or hear each accent on its own page: American, British, Australian.