CI says “sh”
Before another vowel, CI often says “sh”, like in 'special' and 'musician'.
How this rule works
When CI comes before another vowel (usually A, O, or E), the two letters blend into the “sh” sound: special, crucial, musician, glacier, delicious. This is common in words ending -cial and -cian.
Remember: CI before a vowel whispers “sh” — a special musician!
Examples
Words that use this rule
19 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
Exceptions
In -tion words the /sh/ is spelled 'ti' inside the -tion suffix (nation, action).
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