How do you know which letter is silent in a particular word?

Answer 1

Sadly the answer is that there are no rules. Modern English uses words from many languages each with their own rules of pronunciation. You just have to learn them individually. The up-side is that native speakers don't always know either!

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In your own native language, or languages, you will have a 'feel' for how a word should sound if it is a word you know. For example, you know the 'k' in the word 'know' is silent and that it also stops the word 'know' sounding like 'now', just by being there.

Follow your instinct, and whenever possible use a dictionary for backup; not only will you find you know more about your language than you thought you did, you will learn much more than you thought you would!

Almost all dictionaries, hardcopy or online, have a pronunciation guide. This will show you the difference between the actual spelling of a word and the sound, or sounds, it makes. Some pronunciation guides are phonetic and not always easy to understand; in this case look up that dictionary's own key to pronunciation, usually at the front of the book, or use a different dictionary.

When you find a good online dictionary that suits you, make a shortcut for it and refer to it often; some sites allow you to put a button on your menu bar for quick access.

Some words have more than one spelling, some have more than one pronunciation; the dictionary entry considered most correct in the country for which that dictionary was compiled is listed first.

Many words have other meanings; these are also listed, with the most common meaning first.

Below is a link to a free online dictionary which includes a live pronunciation facility.