For parents of young learners
Silent letter words for kids
Silent letters are letters we write but don't say, like the k in knife and the b in lamb. They trip up readers and spellers alike. Here are 70 common words in 7 groups, with easy rules and practice ideas.
By the Eloqova team · Updated 30 October 2026
Why are they there? Many silent letters were once spoken, hundreds of years ago. The spelling stayed even when the sound disappeared. Children enjoy knowing this "secret history".
Silent k (before n) (10 words)
- knife
- knee
- know
- knock
- knot
- knight
- knit
- knob
- kneel
- knuckle
Silent w (10 words)
- write
- wrong
- wrist
- wrap
- wreck
- whole
- who
- answer
- sword
- wrinkle
Silent b (often after m) (10 words)
- lamb
- comb
- thumb
- climb
- bomb
- crumb
- plumber
- doubt
- debt
- tomb
Silent h (10 words)
- hour
- honest
- honour
- heir
- ghost
- rhyme
- school
- chemist
- character
- choir
Silent g (often before n) (10 words)
- gnat
- gnaw
- gnome
- sign
- design
- foreign
- reign
- campaign
- resign
- assign
Silent l (10 words)
- talk
- walk
- chalk
- half
- calf
- calm
- palm
- could
- would
- should
Silent t (10 words)
- listen
- castle
- whistle
- often
- fasten
- Christmas
- ballet
- soften
- glisten
- hustle
Sentences to read
- The knight knelt on one knee.
- Write the answer on the right line.
- The lamb climbed the hill in an hour.
- Listen to the whistle near the castle.
- You should talk calmly and honestly.
How to practise at home
- Read each group aloud and say "shh" at the silent letter.
- Circle the silent letters in the sentences.
- Play spelling bee with five words a day.
- Make a silly sentence using three words from different groups.
Questions parents ask
What are silent letters?
Letters that are written in a word but not pronounced, like the k in knee or the w in write.
Which letters are commonly silent in English?
K, w, b, h, g, l and t are the most common. E is also often silent at the end of words, as in cake.
How do I teach silent letters to my child?
Teach one group at a time with its pattern (kn, wr, mb, gn), read the words aloud, and practise spelling a few each day.
More free guides
- Digraph words for kids
- Magic e words for kids
- Improve your child's pronunciation
- Phonics classes for kids
Want expert help? See our phonics classes for kids: live 1:1 online classes for UKG to Grade 8.