Mn at the end of a word (silent n), e.g. damn, autumn, col-
umn
Ps at the beginning of a word (silent p), e.g. psalm, psychiatry,
psychology
Ght (silentgh), e.g. night, ought, taught
Gn at the beginning of a word (silentg), e.g.gnome,gnaw,
gnu
Bt (silent b), e.g. debt, doubtful, subtle (but not in some words,
e.g. 'obtain', 'unobtrusive'!)
The letter H is silent in the following situations:
At the end of word preceded by a vowel, e.g. cheetah, Sarah,.
messiah
Between two vowels, e.g. annihilate, vehement, vehicle
Mter the letter 'r', e.g. rhyme, rhubarb, rhythm
Mter the letters 'ex', e.g. exhausting, exhibition, exhort.
Many people are perhaps not aware of the astonishing fact that
nearly every letter of the English alphabet is silent in some word. (Si-
lent letters are also sometimes called mute letters.)
a is silent in head, bread, deaf, meant
b is silent in debt, lamb, bomb, tomb
c is silent in muscle, blackguard, yacht, indict
d is silent in wednesday, handkerchief, handbag
e is silent in pirate, more, have, give
f is silent in stijJ; cujJ; scoff
9 is silent in gnaw, gnome, phlegm, straight
h is silent in honour; heir; ghost, night
i is silent in business, fashion, cushion
