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All phonics rules
SCs

Soft SC says /s/

Before E, I, or Y, the SC says just /s/ — the C is soft, like in 'scene' and 'science'.

How this rule works

When SC comes before E, I, or Y, the C goes soft and SC says /s/ (scene, science, scent, scissors, descend). Before other letters SC says /sk/ (scan, score, school). A few words like 'muscle' also have a silent C in SC.

Remember: SC before E, I, Y is soft — you hear /s/ in the science scene!

Examples

scenesciencescissorsmuscle

Words that use this rule

21 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.

abscessadolescentascendascendancycrescentdescenddescentfascinateincandescentmusclemusclesscenesceneryscenicscentscentedsciencescientificscientistscissorstranscendence

Exceptions

SC says /sk/ before A, O, U, R, or H (scan, score, scarf, screen, school).

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