There are many different consonants that, when in combination with other letters, are silent. Some require knowing single consonant sounds and the rules. For example, C before K is silent. Why? It is because C has no sound of its own. What we hear in words such as snack and sack is the sound of K.

Another common silent consonant combination is the double consonant. The second L in the word bell is silent.

Click on any of the links below to learn more about silent consonants.