Silent K in English

I like to say that spelling and pronunciation in English are a bit of an adventure. The silent K is an interesting example. No one is sure exactly why the K became silent in English words like knight and knife. However, some time around six hundred years ago, people began to drop the K sound when it was associated with N.

Why do we still use the K if no one actually says it?

That’s a great question. Personally, I like it. English has a rich history. It’s the history of the people who spoke it in England centuries ago, and the people around the world who use it today. So, when I spell words with the silent K, I feel a connection to speakers from long ago, and that’s fun.

Is the K always silent before N?

No. Actually, it is pronounced in some family names. When I was growing up in Pennsylvania, we often went to an amusement park called Knoeble’s Grove. Everyone pronounced it “kuh-no-bels”. My family refused because, after all, the K is silent right? Wrong! Turns out, Knoeble is a family name, and the K is not silent. (I pronounced it wrong for years!)

In all of the words below, the K is silent. Simply pronounce the N. For example, knead sounds the same as need, and knot sounds the same as not.