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Silent letters can make English spelling and pronunciation confusing, and “GH” is one of the biggest troublemakers. In many English words, GH is not pronounced at all, even though it appears in the spelling. Understanding silent GH will help you improve your reading, pronunciation, and spelling.
What is the silent letter GH?
Silent GH means the letters “g” and “h” appear in a word but are not pronounced. You simply skip the sound when speaking. The word is spoken as if the GH isn’t there.
Example:
- Light → /laɪt/ (you don’t say the “g” or “h”)
- Night → /naɪt/
- Thought → /θɔːt/
When Is GH Silent?
GH is silent mostly when it appears:
1. After a vowel at the end of a word
You don’t pronounce GH in words that end with -igh, -ought, or -augh.
Examples:
- Brought
- Caught
- Thought
2. Before the letter “T”
GH is usually silent when followed by T.
Examples:
- Right
- Fight
- Bought
- Tight
- Daughter
3. In the middle of some words
Sometimes GH appears in the middle of a word and stays silent.
Examples:
- Highway
- Slightly
- Forethought
- Eighty
Exceptions of GH
Sometimes GH Makes an /f/ Sound
GH is not always silent. In a few words, it sounds like /f/.
Examples:
- Cough → /kɒf/
- Enough → /ɪˈnʌf/
- Laugh → /læf/
- Tough → /tʌf/
- Rough → /rʌf/
A good trick:
If GH comes after a short vowel (a, e, i, o, u), it often sounds like /f/.
Rarely, GH Sounds Like /g/
In some words related to German or Dutch origins, GH is pronounced like /g/.
Examples:
- Ghost
- Ghastly
- Gherkin
Common Words with Silent GH
Here’s a helpful list of words where GH is completely silent:
| Word | IPA Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| light | /laɪt/ |
| night | /naɪt/ |
| right | /raɪt/ |
| high | /haɪ/ |
| sigh | /saɪ/ |
| bright | /braɪt/ |
| flight | /flaɪt/ |
| delight | /dɪˈlaɪt/ |
| might | /maɪt/ |
| sight | /saɪt/ |
| weigh | /weɪ/ |
| eight | /eɪt/ |
| freight | /freɪt/ |
| neighbor | /ˈneɪbər/ |
| sleigh | /sleɪ/ |
| thought | /θɔːt/ |
| bought | /bɔːt/ |
| brought | /brɔːt/ |
| taught | /tɔːt/ |
| daughter | /ˈdɔːtə/ |
| drought | /draʊt/ |
| though | /ðoʊ/ |
| although | /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/ |
| through | /θruː/ |
| thorough | /ˈθʌrə/ |
| haughty | /ˈhɔːti/ |
| caught | /kɔːt/ |
| naught | /nɔːt/ |
| plight | /plaɪt/ |
| wright | /raɪt/ |
| bight | /baɪt/ |
| foresight | /ˈfɔːr.saɪt/ |
You don’t say the /g/ or /h/—just skip them when speaking.
Tips to Remember Silent GH
Here are some quick rules for learners:
✔ If “GH” comes after a vowel and before T, it’s silent.
✔ If GH is in -igh, don’t pronounce it.
✔ If GH follows a short vowel, it may sound like /f/.
✔ Very few words pronounce GH as /g/.
✔ Practice with common words first.
Quick Practice Sentences
Practice reading these sentences without pronouncing the GH:
- The light in the night was very bright.
- She thought he bought the right gift.
- His daughter weighed eight pounds at birth.
- I laughed because the joke was silly.
- This box is too tough to open.
Practise speaking
