The “Waking” Consonants

Have you ever noticed that English spelling feels like a game of hide-and-seek? Sometimes letters are silent, sometimes not. For high-level English students, mastering aspects like this is a game-changer. It will make you sound more advanced and confident. Today, we’re looking at why certain letters stay silent in short words but are pronounced in longer words from the same family. 

Why does this happen?

English often keeps the spelling of a “root” word, even if not every letter is pronounced. However, when we add a suffix to turn a verb into a noun or an adjective, the phonetics shifts, and that silent letter suddenly becomes necessary.

1. G

The ‘G’ is usually silent when it ends a word before an ‘N’, but it is voiced when syllables are added.

• Sign /saɪn/ (Silent G) → Signature /ˈsɪɡ.nə.tʃə/ (Voiced G)

• Design /dɪˈzaɪn/(Silent G) → Designate /ˈdezɪɡneɪt/(Voiced G)

• Resign /rɪˈzaɪn/ (Silent G) → Resignation /ˌrez.ɪɡˈneɪ.ʃən/ (Voiced G)

2. N

The final ‘N’ is “shy” after an ‘M’ at the end of a word, but it wakes up when followed by a vowel in a derivative.

• Autumn /ˈɔː.təm/ (Silent N) → Autumnal /ɔːˈtʌm.nəl/ (Voiced N)

• Condemn /kənˈdem/ (Silent N) → Condemnation /ˌkɒn.demˈneɪ.ʃən/ (Voiced N)

• Hymn /hɪm/ (Silent N) → Hymnal /ˈhɪm.nəl/ (Voiced N)

• Solemn /ˈsɒləm/ (Silent N) → Solemnity /səˈlemnɪti/(Voiced N)

3. B & C

These consonants “wake up” to help bridge the sounds when the word becomes more complex.

• Muscle /ˈmʌs.əl/ (Silent C) → Muscular /ˈmʌs.kjə.lə/ (Voiced C)

• Bomb /bɒm/ (Silent B) → Bombard /bɒmˈbɑːd/ (Voiced B)

• Crumb /krʌm/ (Silent B) → Crumble /ˈkrʌm.bəl/ (Voiced B)

Mastering these shifts shows the examiners that you have a sophisticated command of English pronunciation. It’s these small details that push your score from a “Pass” to a “Grade A.”

Unfortunately, there are always exceptions to the rules in English, so stay curious! As you observe and learn with authentic materials, these patterns will become second-nature to you, especially if you regularly engage with native English speakers.