Silent consonants
A silent letter is the one we write but do not pronounce. There aren't any general rules or hints on how to recognize a silent consonant. In most cases, we have to learn the pronunciation of the word together with its meaning. However, let's see which letters can become silent and try to find some common patterns.
Silent B
m+b = /m/
If the word ends in mb, b is silent. It will also be silent in derived words.
b+t = /t/
Sometimes when the word contains bt, b is silent.
bomb, climb, comb, lamb, thumb, plumb, climber, plumber
debt, doubt, subtle
Silent T
In some words the letter t is silent. In some originally French words, there is a silent t at the end.
castle, chestnut, Christmas, fasten, listen, mortgage, often
ballet, buffet, valet, debut
Silent H
heir, honour, hour, ghost, rhythm
what, when, where, while, white, why
Silent K
k+n = /n/
If the word begins with kn, k is usually not pronounced.
knee, knew, knife, knight, knit, knock, know
Silent W
w+r=/r/
If the word begins with wr, w is silent. But that's not the only case where it is silent.
wrap, wrist, wrinkle, wreck, write
answer, towards, two
whole, who, whom, whose
Silent G
g+n = /n/
If the word ends in gn, g is often silent.
align, campaign, design, foreign, reign, sign
Silent N
m+n = /m/
There are some words with mn combination where n is not pronounced.
autumn, column, condemn, damn, hymn, solemn
Silent L
l+m = /m/
Sometimes l is not pronounced when it is combined with m. But there are more words where it is silent.
balm, calm, palm, almond, salmon
calf, half, chalk, walk, could, should, would, colonel