Silent K in English: 5 Common Words Learners Often Mispronounce

 



Many English learners are surprised to discover that some words contain a silent K—a letter that is written but not pronounced. This feature is especially common at the beginning of words, and misunderstanding it often leads to pronunciation errors.

In this article, we’ll focus on five high‑frequency English words with a silent K:

  • knife
  • knock
  • know
  • knowledge
  • knight

You’ll learn why the K is silent, how each word is pronounced, and how to use them naturally in modern English.


In Old English, the letter K was originally pronounced in many words that now begin with KN‑. Over time, English pronunciation simplified, and the K sound disappeared, while the spelling remained.

As a result, when K appears before N at the beginning of a word, it is almost always silent in modern English.

Rule to remember:

  • When a word starts with KN‑, pronounce only the N sound.


1. knife

  • Spelling: knife
  • Pronunciation: /naɪf/
  • Silent letter: K

The word knife is pronounced exactly like nife. The K is completely silent.

Example sentence:

  • Be careful when using a sharp knife.


2. knock

  • Spelling: knock
  • Pronunciation: /nɒk/ (UK) /nɑːk/ (US)
  • Silent letter: K

In knock, the initial K is not pronounced, and the word starts with an N sound.

Example sentence:

  • Please knock before entering the room.


3. know

  • Spelling: know
  • Pronunciation: /noʊ/
  • Silent letter: K

Know is pronounced the same as no. This often causes confusion for learners because the spelling suggests an extra sound that doesn’t exist.

Example sentence:

  • I know the answer to the question.


4. knowledge

  • Spelling: knowledge
  • Pronunciation: /ˈnɒlɪdʒ/ (UK), /ˈnɑːlɪdʒ/ (US)
  • Silent letter: K

Even tough knowledge looks complex, the K is still silent. The word begins with an N sound, just like know.

Example sentence:

  • Reading regularly helps you build knowledge.


5. knight

  • Spelling: knight
  • Pronunciation: /naɪt/
  • Silent letter: K

Knight is pronounced the same as night. Both the K and the GH are silent, making this word a classic example of English spelling challenges.

Example sentence:

  • The knight wore armor and rode a horse.


Silent K Pattern Summary

Here’s a simple pattern you can rely on:

  • K + N at the beginning of a word → K is silent
  • Pronounce the word starting with N


Tips for English Learners

  • Don’t pronounce the K when it comes before N at the start of a word.
  • Focus on listening practice to internalize natural pronunciation.
  • Group silent‑letter words together when studying vocabulary—it improves retention.


Silent letters are one of the reasons English spelling feels difficult, but patterns like silent K in KN‑ words are actually very consistent once you notice them.

Mastering words like knife, knock, know, knowledge, and knight will immediately make your pronunciation sound more natural and confident.

If you’re learning English seriously, understanding silent letters is a small step that leads to big improvements.