Here's what it means:
* A consonant is considered "silent" when it is written in a word but not pronounced. It doesn't contribute to the sound of the word.
Examples:
* "K" in "knife": The "k" is silent, and the word is pronounced "nife."
* "G" in "gnome": The "g" is silent, and the word is pronounced "nome."
* "B" in "doubt": The "b" is silent, and the word is pronounced "dout."
* "H" in "honor": The "h" is silent, and the word is pronounced "on-er."
Why do consonants become silent?
The reason consonants become silent is because of the history of the English language. Over time, certain sounds have been lost or changed, leaving some letters silent. This is due to:
* Changes in pronunciation: Pronunciation shifts throughout history can lead to letters becoming silent.
* Phonological rules: English has rules about how sounds are combined, and sometimes a consonant is dropped to simplify the pronunciation.
* Etymological influence: Silent consonants can come from the origins of a word (its etymology). For example, the "k" in "knife" is silent because it comes from the Old English word "cnif," where the "k" was pronounced.
It's important to remember:
* Not all consonants are always silent. They are only silent in specific words or contexts.
* Learning which consonants are silent requires practice and exposure to the English language.
Hopefully, this explanation helps you understand the concept of "silent consonants" better!