Why is there a silent l in could?

In walk, chalk, and talk, the L comes after an A, and the vowel is pronounced like a short O. Half and calf have an AL, too, but the vowel is pronounced like the short A in staff. In could, should, and would, the L comes after OU, and the sound is exactly like the OO in good.

Can every letter be silent?

These are the hardest words to pronounce in the English language. On top of that, almost every letter in the alphabet has a silent usage, too. Even unusual letters like Z and J are silent in words that we have adopted from foreign languages, such as marijuana (originally a Spanish word) and laissez-faire (French).

Could would should etymology?

Etymology. The modals can and could are from Old English can(n) and cuþ, which were respectively present and preterite forms of the verb cunnan (“to be able”). The silent l in the spelling of could results from analogy with would and should.

What is the meaning of silent letters?

What is a silent letter? A silent letter is a letter that, in a particular word, does not correspond to any sound in the word’s pronunciation. One of the noted difficulties of English spelling is a high number of silent letters, they make the spelling of words different from their pronunciation.

What are some Silent Words with the letter C?

Words with Silent Letter C 1 Abscess 2 Ascend 3 Ascent 4 Conscience 5 Conscious 6 Crescent 7 Descend 8 Disciple 9 Evanesce 10 Fascinate 11 Fluorescent 12 Muscle 13 Obscene 14 Resuscitate 15 Scenario 16 Scene 17 Scent 18 Science 19 Scissors 20 Transcend

What are some words that have a silent t in them?

T – beret, Chevrolet, depot, listen, whistle, wrestle, trestle, mortgage, apostle. (When talking fast, the t is very lightly pronounced in words like Christmas, mountain and little) Silent letters can be heard depending on a persons accent.

What are some words with the silent letter U?

Words with Silent Letter U 1 Baguette 2 Biscuit 3 Building 4 Circuit 5 Disguise 6 Guard 7 Guess 8 Guest 9 Guild 10 Guile