Here are some common examples and patterns to help you:
1. Greek and Latin Origins:
* Many words derived from Greek or Latin use "ch" to represent a "k" sound.
* Examples:
* chaos, chorus, chromatic, chemistry, character, choreography
2. Before "e", "i", or "y":
* "Ch" often sounds like "k" before the letters "e", "i", or "y".
* Examples:
* chemical, child, chicken, chape, change, cheap, chyme
3. Specific Words:
* There are some words where "ch" sounds like "k" that don't fit into any particular pattern. These you just need to learn by rote.
* Examples:
* choke, church, christmas, childhood
Important Note:
* It's important to remember that "ch" can also have other sounds, such as the "sh" sound (as in "chair") and the "tʃ" sound (as in "cheat").
Tip:
* The best way to learn when "ch" sounds like "k" is to encounter the words in context and practice their pronunciation.