English language

Silent letters

If they are silent, then useless; why do they appear in the related written word?that's the spelling.

 

Silent [d]:

Examples:

Handkerchief, handsome, Wednesday, …


Silent [b]:

Examples:

Debt, subtle, climb, lamb, thumb, comb, bomb, …


Silent [I]:
The letter l is silent when it is followed by f, k, or m, but only 
if the vowels a or o precede it.

Examples:


lf
  calf
 half    [h/ɑː/  f]
lk 
walk 
 talk    [w/ɔː/   k]
lm 
calm 
salmon  [/ɔː/   m] 


The l is not silent in any of the following words:  
bulk – elf – elk - elm  - film - milk - sulk - shelf

Let's remember also that the l is silent in the words: 
Could, couldn't, should, shouldn't, would and wouldn't.


The silent letters [b],[g][k]and [n]:
Don’t pronounce:
b in front of t              (doubt)
g and k in front of n  (foreign, know)
b and n after m          (climb, autumn)


 Silent [p]:
Do not pronouce p written before s.

Examples:

pseudonym[sju:] - psychiatry[sai] - psychic[sai] - psychology[sai]