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Unit 22: Words with silent letters

Page 12 of 15

Unit 22: Words with silent letters e.g. wrap, comb, sign, knight

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Page 12 of 15

Words with Silent Letters

Teaching point Sometimes knowing where a word came from can help you to remember its spelling. For example:

  Old language Original word Meaning
debt Latin debitum owe
column Latin columna pillar
receipt Latin receptere receive

Some more words with silent p:

1. Starting with pneu- , from the Greek word for wind :

pneumatic pneumonia

2. Starting with psy- , from the Greek word for life, soul :

psychic psychiatry
psychiatrist psychedelic
psychology psychopath
psychosis psychotherapy

3. Starting with ptero-, from the Greek word for wing :

pterodactyl pterosaur (also ptarmigan) Spelling problems with silent letters in English words

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