Silent L
Sometimes the L is silent — you don't say it, like in 'could', 'would', and 'half'.
How this rule works
In some words the L is silent. You see it, but you don't say it. This happens in the helper words could, should, and would, and in words like half, calf, calm, palm, and yolk. (When L comes before K it also goes silent — walk, talk, chalk — but there the A+L team already spells the vowel sound.)
Remember: Sometimes L is silent — you could, would, should not say it!
Examples
Words that use this rule
13 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
Exceptions
L is NOT silent in most words (wolf, milk, salt, help) — only in this small set where you can't hear it.
What is SnapPhonics?
A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.
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