Spelling with "C" and "G"

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Spelling with "C" and "G"

The letter "c" makes two sounds — the /k/ sound and the /s/ sound. The sound of "c" is controlled by the letter following it. When "c" is followed by a consonant (except "h"), it makes the /k/ sound. When followed by the vowels "a", "o", or "u", it also makes the /k/ sound. However, when followed by the vowels "e", "i", or "y", it makes the /s/ sound. When c makes the /k/ sound, that is called its hard sound, and when it makes the /s/ sound, that is called its soft sound.

The letter "g" is similar, sometimes making its hard sound /g/, and other times making its soft sound /ʤ/. However, it doesn't follow the rule as often as "c". Some notable exceptions include give, get, gear, girl, and gill.

Spelling With "C"

When "c" is followed by "e", "i" or "y", it says /s/ as in cent. Otherwise, it says /k/ as in cat.

Examples of the /s/ sound: centre, ceiling, circle, and cycle.
Examples of the /k/ sound: cottage, cave, cream, curious, and clever.

Spelling With "G"

When "g" is followed by "i", "e" or "y", it says /ʤ/ as in gym. Otherwise, it says /g/ as in gold.

Examples of the /ʤ/ sound: gentle, giant, and gymnastic.
Examples of the /g/ sound: gallon, gold, guide, glass, and grow.
Exceptions: get, got, begin, girl, give, gear, geese, gift, girth, geyser, and giddy.

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