answersLogoWhite

0

The initial consonant "k" is silent in know (pronounced "noh"). If you had the word "now" it would be said nou. the reason some words are spelled differently is because of their origins.

Know comes from the Greek gignṓskein where the word gnostic comes from.

Now comes from Old English nu.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Linguistics

Why k is silent in know?

The 'k' in 'know' is silent because it used to be pronounced in Old English but became silent over time. English spelling changes have not always kept up with pronunciation changes, resulting in silent letters like the 'k' in 'know'.


What are the silent letters in the word know?

The silent letters in the word "know" are the 'k' and 'w'. They are not pronounced when saying the word.


Why are the letters kn silent in the English language?

The same reason as 'pn' can also be silent. They are words derived from another language. In the original language the word may or may not have been silent but in English usage has softened or removed the leading syllable. kn was an initial sequence of consonants common in English and Middle English, and in the form cn- in Anglo-Saxon. In Middle English and Anglo-Saxon (as still in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian) it was distinctly pronounced as written; but now the k is silent. in many words in modern english. kn- occurs in native English words, as knave, knee, knell, knop, know, etc., in other Teutonic words, as knicker, and in some other words of foreign origin, as knout. Interestingly, knife went into French as canif Some words, can have gn as an alternative. for instance, knar, knarl


How many spelling rules are in the English language?

There are many spelling rules in the English language, with the exact number varying depending on how they are categorized and defined. Some common spelling rules include those related to silent letters, doubling consonants, and adding suffixes. Learning and understanding these rules can help improve spelling accuracy.


Why is the k in the word know silent?

Once upon a time (300 to 500 years ago) it wasn't "silent", the pronunciation changed but the spelling didn't.

Related Questions

Why k is silent in know?

The 'k' in 'know' is silent because it used to be pronounced in Old English but became silent over time. English spelling changes have not always kept up with pronunciation changes, resulting in silent letters like the 'k' in 'know'.


What are the silent letters in the word know?

The silent letters in the word "know" are the 'k' and 'w'. They are not pronounced when saying the word.


Why should you write silent letters in a word in English language?

Silent letters have two important roles in English spelling. Silent final e rules the pronunciation of other letters in some words. This is very practical. If tone and ton, or fine and fin were spelled the same, how would we know which was meant? Likewise, in the case of homophones such sight, site or cite, the spelling indicates the meaning.Another role of silent letters is to show some of the word's history and its connection to other words, especially words in other languages. This may be of interest mostly to scholars. To the educated eye, English spelling also shows the changes in English pronunciation over time.


What are the 3 nasal sounds in the English language?

There are two letters that are nasal in the English language, they are m and n. If you are Australian all letters are nasal.


Why are the letters kn silent in the English language?

The same reason as 'pn' can also be silent. They are words derived from another language. In the original language the word may or may not have been silent but in English usage has softened or removed the leading syllable. kn was an initial sequence of consonants common in English and Middle English, and in the form cn- in Anglo-Saxon. In Middle English and Anglo-Saxon (as still in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian) it was distinctly pronounced as written; but now the k is silent. in many words in modern english. kn- occurs in native English words, as knave, knee, knell, knop, know, etc., in other Teutonic words, as knicker, and in some other words of foreign origin, as knout. Interestingly, knife went into French as canif Some words, can have gn as an alternative. for instance, knar, knarl


How many spelling rules are in the English language?

There are many spelling rules in the English language, with the exact number varying depending on how they are categorized and defined. Some common spelling rules include those related to silent letters, doubling consonants, and adding suffixes. Learning and understanding these rules can help improve spelling accuracy.


Why is the k in the word know silent?

Once upon a time (300 to 500 years ago) it wasn't "silent", the pronunciation changed but the spelling didn't.


You would like to know all the words in the English language that have a silent L?

Here are some: Would. Could. Should. Lincoln. Colonel. Salmon.


What is the English version of gangnamstyle psy?

I do not know the english version but I do know what language it is in and that language is Koreon.


How do you spell hichmore?

The letters in the order given do not spell any word I know in the English language. Maybe you mean "Highmore", a Scottish whiskey.


Do you know of a cool sentence you could make out of the letters BOSS?

Besides Observing Stay Silent


What are the five lucky letters on Wheel of Fortune?

I don't know whether they are letters that are lucky, but the letters S, N, L, R, & T are the most commonly used consonant letters in the English Language. I guess they could be lucky letters when playing Wheel of Fortune as they would likely be in the puzzle.