silent letters - 2
the letter g is silent when it occurs at the end of the word before 'n' or 'm' (and remains silent before the -ed suffix)
e.g.
\ri-ˈzīn\ resign
\ˈsīn\ sign
\ə-ˈsīn\ assign
\ˈrān\ reign
\ˈfȯr-ən foreign (also foreigner)
but it is pronounced in :
signature, resignation, assignation, ignore, pregnant
e.g.
\ˈig-n(ə-)rənt\ ignorant
the letters 'ough' have a variety of pronunciations:
Full list of pronunciations
Pronunciation |
Example |
Comment |
|---|---|---|
/ʌf/ |
tough, enough, |
rhymes with 'stuff' |
/ɒf/ |
cough, trough |
rhymes with 'off' |
/aʊ/ |
bough, plough |
rhymes with cow |
/oʊ/ |
though, dough |
rhymes with 'go' |
/ɔː/ |
thought, bought |
past forms of verbs, rhymes with 'short' |
/uː/ |
through, |
rhymes with 'two' |
/ə/ |
thorough, borough |
Both pronounced /oʊ/ in American English |
/ʌp/ |
hiccough |
Variant spelling of "hiccup", though the latter form is recommended in both British and US |
|
|
|
|
/ɒx/ |
lough |
A lake; Irish analogue of Scots "loch" |
'augh' is similar to the pronunciation of 'ough' in the past forms of the verbs - catch and teach - caught, taught /ɔː/ - and in daughter
but can also be pronounced differently as in
/ɑːf/ as in "laughter
Listen to Lady Gaga singing "I like it rough" with lyrics