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Silent Letters in English: Words Beginning with 'kn'

Are you looking for a comprehensive list of words that begin with the silent letter combination 'kn'? These words present a unique challenge for young learners because while they begin with two consonants, only one sound (/n/) is pronounced. Understanding these words is crucial for developing strong reading and spelling skills.

List of Common 'kn' Words

Here's a carefully curated list of words that begin with the silent 'k' followed by 'n':

  • knob
  • knot
  • knock
  • knack
  • knit
  • knelt
  • knee
  • kneel
  • kneecap
  • knead
  • knew
  • know
  • known
  • knowing
  • knave
  • knife
  • knight
  • knoll
  • knuckle
  • knitting

Educational Standards and Applications

These 'kn' words align with several Common Core Standards. In particular, they support:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2.D: Generalize learned spelling patterns when writing words
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2.F: Use spelling patterns and generalizations in writing words

These standards are particularly relevant because silent letter combinations like 'kn' represent an important spelling pattern that students must master. Understanding that the 'k' is silent in these words helps students develop their phonological awareness and apply this knowledge to both reading and spelling tasks.

Teaching Silent 'kn' Words

When teaching these words, it's helpful to explain that the 'k' was historically pronounced in Old English, but over time became silent in Modern English. This pattern is consistent across all 'kn' words in English, making it a reliable spelling rule for students to learn. Many of these words are also high-frequency words that students encounter regularly in their reading and writing.

Creating Practice Materials

Systematic practice with these words helps students internalize the silent 'k' pattern. Regular exposure through reading, writing, and spelling activities reinforces this important phonics concept. Whether you're working with beginning readers or helping older students improve their spelling, having organized practice materials is essential.

Create a worksheet using words from this list

Additional Teaching Tips

Consider grouping these words by difficulty level or meaning when teaching them. For instance, start with simple, concrete nouns like "knot" and "knee" before moving on to more abstract concepts like "knew" and "known." This structured approach helps students build confidence while mastering this challenging spelling pattern.

Remember that while these words share the same initial silent letter pattern, they represent various parts of speech and difficulty levels, making them suitable for differentiated instruction across multiple grade levels.