Words With Silent Letter 'A' with Reasons

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Silent Letter ‘A’! Learn English words with their silent letter ‘A’ with reasons, usage, and example sentences. In this lesson, we are going to cover English words with the silent letter ‘A’. Learn the entire lesson and enhance your English language skills.

Words With Silent Letter ‘A’

A fascinating playground of meanings, spellings, and sounds is language. Silent letters, those stealthy characters that are included in the spelling of a word but stay unsaid when pronounced, are one of the fascinating features of the English language. ‘A’ is one of these quiet letters that frequently engages in hide-and-seek activities. As we investigate certain words that contain the intriguing silent letter “A” and uncover the mysteries surrounding their enigmatic presence, let’s set off on a journey of discovery.

1. Psychology

The word “psychology” explores the inner workings of the human mind, yet it also conceals an “A.” Although it’s very enticing to say “psy-cha-lo-gee,” the proper way to say it is “sai-kol-o-gee.” This comes from the word’s Greek roots, where the word ‘psyche’ denotes the soul or mind. The absence of an ‘A’ serves as a reminder that pronunciation is frequently determined by the origins of words.

2. Island

Imagine yourself unwinding on a peaceful island in a tropical haven. The word is difficult to pronounce, despite the pleasant image. The ‘S’ and the ‘D’ appear to command attention, while the ‘A’ continues to quietly savor a coconut beverage in the distance. The correct pronunciation is “eye-land,” not “ai-land,” according to phonetic rules.

3. Debris

Consider a building site with trash lying around. It’s interesting that the ‘A’ in “debris” is silent. It is really pronounced “deb-ree,” highlighting the discrepancy between how English words are spelled and how they sound. This linguistic oddity is explained by the word’s French etymology.

4. Tsunami

The word “tsunami,” where the silent ‘A’ lends a bit of difficulty to its pronunciation, captures the wrath of nature. The ‘T’ and ‘S’ team up, the ‘U’ steals the show, and the ‘A’ rides the pronunciation wave in silence. It should be pronounced “soo-nah-mee,” not “tsah-nah-mee.”

5. Martial

Keep in mind that the ‘A’ in this word denotes a master of disguise when discussing martial arts or combat talents. It’s pronounced “mar-shul,” not “mar-ti-al.” The silent ‘A’ softly serves as a subtle reminder of the Latin word ‘mars,’ which also happens to be the name of the Roman god of war.

6. Subtle

In terms of subtlety, the word itself hides an unnoticeable “A.” We frequently pronounce it “suh-tuhl,” skipping over the silent “b.” The silent ‘A’ serves as a reminder that words can occasionally be elusive, especially when they convey a quality of being delicate and modest, even though the ‘B’ is excusable.

7. Bury

When you dig a little deeper, the word “bury” appears simple, but the way it’s pronounced adds a twist. While the ‘A’ prefers to remain silent, the ‘I’ and ‘U’ work together to create the sound. Say “ber-ee,” not “bar-ee,” when referring to burying something.

A to Z English Words with Silent Letters

8. Realm

‘A’ has a unique place in the world of silent letters. Although it might seem that the word “realm” should rhyme with “calm,” it really favors a different cadence. The letter ‘A’ acts as a sentinel, watching over the letters ‘R’ and ‘E’ as they pronounce the word as “relm.”

9. Science

The word “science” directs us to a silent “A” as we explore the realm of knowledge. The correct pronunciation is “Sai-ence,” emphasizing how Latin roots have influenced English vocabulary.

10. Handkerchief

Let’s tackle a difficult one last: “handkerchief.” This word, which is frequently employed to dab at sneezes or wipe away tears, appears to contain an excess of silent characters. We utter the phrase “han-ker-chif” as the letters “D,” “K,” and “H” all gently take their positions alongside the letter “A.”

The silent letter ‘A’ is just one piece of this linguistic puzzle, inviting us to explore the hidden layers of words we use every day. So, next time you encounter a word with a silent ‘A,’ remember the untold stories and rich history that shape our language.

Discovering the silent ‘A’ in words like “artistically,” “logically,” “musically,” “physically,” and “critically,” we are able to hear a pleasing rhythm that reverberates across the complexities of communication.

11. Artistically

The word “artistically” embodies this creative spirit, and the silent ‘A’ adds an artistic flair to its pronunciation. The ‘A’ takes a bow, while the other letters collaborate to emphasize “ahr-tis-ti-klee.”

12. Logically

This word leads us down a logical path of ideas, with the ‘A’ playing a quiet supporting role. It is pronounced “lah-ji-klee,” not “lay-ji-klee,” because it leads us through the framework of logical reasoning.

13. Musically

The phrase “musically” conjures up images of the magical world of melodies and harmonies. The ‘I’ and ‘U’ are given the reins of the vocal group as the ‘A’ gently moves away. Say it out loud as “myoo-zi-klee,” letting the silent “A” provide harmony to the rhythm of your speech.

14. Physically

The ‘A’ in this word prefers to remain unspoken, giving way to the ‘Y’ and ‘S’ to take the lead. It’s “fiz-i-klee,” capturing the essence of the material world.

15. Critically

This word’s ‘A’ embodies its quiet power, allowing the ‘I’ and ‘C’ to provide a potent resonance. Give it the “krit-i-klee” pronunciation to make your criticism sound more significant.