Silent W
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Videos and songs to help First Grade kids learn about the silent W.
The silent W appears in specific words where the W is written but not pronounced.
Learning the Silent W
The silent “w” in English has a fairly specific rule, making it easier to remember than some other silent letters.
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The Main Rule for Silent “w”
The letter “w” is almost always silent when it comes before the letter “r” at the beginning of a word. This is the primary rule to remember.
Examples:
wrap, wrapper, wrath, wreck, wren, wrench, wrestle, wretch, wriggle, wring, wrinkle, wrist, write, writer, written, wrong, wrought, wry -
A Few Other Words with Silent “w”:
Besides the “wr” combination, there are a few other common words where “w” is silent:
answer, sword, two, who, whom, whose, whole
The following diagram shows some words with the silent W. Practice saying these words. Scroll down the page for more examples.
Key Points to Remember:
- “wr” at the beginning: The silent “w” almost exclusively occurs at the beginning of words when followed by “r.”
- The “r” is pronounced: The “r” sound is always pronounced.
When is the Letter ‘w’ Silent in English?
Words and Rules for Silent Letter W
The WR Sound | Phonics
Silent w - answer, sword, wrong
| Silent Letters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Silent B | Silent C | Silent D |
| Silent E | Silent G | Silent GH |
| Silent H | Silent K | Silent L |
| Silent T | Silent W | |
Learn the Sounds of the Letters
Learning Short Vowels
| Short Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Short A | Short E | Short I |
| Short O | Short U | Short Vowels |
Learning Long Vowels
| Long Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Long A | Long E | Long I |
| Long O | Long U | Y (vowel) |
| Long Vowels | Short, Long Vowels | |
Compare Short & Long Vowels
| Short & Long Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Short & Long A | Short & Long E | Short & Long I |
| Short & Long O | Short & Long U | Short I & Long E |
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