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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
What else can I help you with?
What are some 'kn' words with a silent 'k'?
Some examples of 'kn' words with a silent 'k' are: knife, knight, knit, and knuckle.
When is the K silent?
The K is silent when we see the KN bond at the beginning of a word or a certain syllable, and we just say the N. These examples includes know, knife, knee, knew, kneel, knob, knock, knot, knit, knoll, etc. Although we see the KN bond, the K is pronounced when that bond has a faint pause in a separate syllable like weakness, darkness, blackness, etc.
What word has silent k?
There are some rules to silent K: 1.) If the K is followed by an N at the beginning of the word which is KN, then the K becomes silent. Here are some examples of words with silent K: 1.) Knife 2.) Knee 3.) Know 4.) Knew 5.) Knit 6.) Knitting 7.) Knob 8.) Knock 9.) Knickers 10.) Knuckle 11.) Knight 12.) Knack 13.) Knot 14.) Knave 15.) Knavish 16.) Knead 17.) Knoll 18.) Knell 19.) Knap 20.) Knawel 21.) Knur 22.) Knurl 23.) Kneel 24.) Knelt 25.) Knicks Although "weakness" contains a KN, the K doesn't become silent because it's not at the beginning of the word and it's a compound word.
How many phonemes are in the word knee?
no, many, on. kn, KN Spelling
What do you call words with gh kn type sounds?
Words with 'gh' and 'kn' sounds are known as consonant clusters. The combination of 'gh' produces sounds like /f/ in words like "enough" or /g/ in words like "ghost." The 'kn' cluster typically produces the /n/ sound in words like "knight" or "knit."
What does a silent k say?
The silent k says kn.
What are some 'kn' words with a silent 'k'?
Some examples of 'kn' words with a silent 'k' are: knife, knight, knit, and knuckle.
Why is P silent in psychology?
English pronunciation does not allow certain consonant combinations to begin a word, and ps is one such. Others are pt and kn.
Why is the P silent in Pfeiffer?
English pronunciation does not allow certain consonant combinations to begin a word, and pf is one such. Others are pt and kn.
Why P is silent in psychology?
English pronunciation does not allow certain consonant combinations to begin a word, and ps is one such. Others are pt and kn.
A warning sound starting with kn?
Knock is a warning sound. It begins with the letters KN.
What is a small hill called that begins with the letters kn?
i think it is called KNOLL
What is a warning sound that begins with the letters kn?
knell
What is the origin of the silent 'k' in the English language?
The origins of silent K are difficult to pin down. What we do know is that the k wasn't always silent, especially in words of Germanic origin. Just as it is in German, the k was actually pronounced and many of the words which now have silent k originally began with that distinctive clicking sound. However, some time after the Chaucerian era, the k sound disappeared from the kn combination. There is speculation that it suddenly became hard to pronounce, and was just one of many linguistic changes after the Great Vowel Shift.This answer derived from http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-silent-k
What is the name for a small hill beginning with the letters kn?
Would "knoll" satisfy?
What 5 letter word ends with kn?
There are no English words that end with the letters "kn." Here are the five-letter words that BEGIN with "kn." knack, knaps, knars, knaur, knave, knead, kneed, kneel, knees, knell, knelt, knife, knish, knits, knobs, knock, knoll, knops, knosp, knots, knout, known, knows, knurl, knurs
What is the silent letter in the word knock?
The KN makes an N sound, so the K is silent. The CK pair always has a K sound, so either the C or the K is a superfluous consonant.
