Soft c, kn-, gn-, and wr- spellings
Year group: 2
Source: DfE, English Appendix 1: Spelling, National Curriculum for England (2013) — Year 2
Curriculum requirement: Statutory
Purpose: Year 2 guide to soft c (before e/i/y), and the silent letters kn-, gn- and wr- — rules, word lists, and practice activities.
Rule A: The /s/ sound spelled c before e, i, y
The letter c usually makes the /k/ sound (cat, cup, coat). But when c is followed by e, i, or y, it makes the /s/ sound. This is called soft c.
ce: cent, pace, ice, race, fence
ci: city, circle, pencil, acid
cy: cycle, fancy, icy, mercy
The rule: c + e/i/y = /s/. c + anything else = /k/.
Etymology note: This rule came into English with Latin and French vocabulary after 1066. In Latin, c was always /k/. In French, the c softened before e and i. When English absorbed French words, it kept the French spelling and the French soft-c rule.
Rule B: The /n/ sound spelled kn- at the start of words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| knock | to strike a surface |
| know | to have knowledge |
| knee | the joint in the leg |
| kneel | to rest on one's knees |
| knife | a cutting blade |
| knight | an armoured warrior |
| knit | to make fabric from yarn |
| knot | a tying of rope |
| knew | past tense of know |
| knack | a special skill |
| knave | a dishonest person; a playing card |
Why: In Old English, the kn was fully pronounced. By around 1600, the k fell silent in speech but the spelling was already standardised. Every kn word is a medieval sound preserved in writing.
Rule C: The /n/ sound spelled gn- at the start of words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| gnaw | to bite repeatedly |
| gnat | a tiny flying insect |
| gnome | a mythical creature |
Why: Same as kn- — the g was once pronounced in Old English. gn is less common than kn in modern English.
Rule D: The /r/ sound spelled wr- at the start of words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| write | to form letters or words |
| wrap | to cover; to fold around |
| wrong | not correct |
| wrist | the joint between hand and arm |
| wreck | a destroyed vehicle; to destroy |
| wrestle | to struggle physically |
| wring | to twist and squeeze |
| wrinkle | a small crease in skin or fabric |
| wrote | past tense of write |
| wren | a small brown bird |
Why: In Old English, wr was a distinct consonant cluster — both letters were pronounced. Over time the w became silent, but the spelling remained.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Right | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| nok | knock | kn- spelling for initial /n/ |
| no (as in knowledge) | know | kn- for /n/ |
| rite | write | wr- for initial /r/ |
| rong | wrong | wr- for initial /r/ |
| neel | kneel | kn- for initial /n/ |
| naw | gnaw | gn- for initial /n/ |
| sircle | circle | soft c before i |
| sentury | century | soft c before e |
Word sort
Sort these words by their silent letter pattern.
Words: know · write · city · gnaw · knife · wrap · pencil · wreck · gnat · cycle · kneel · wrong · ice · knight · gnome
| kn- (silent k) | gn- (silent g) | wr- (silent w) | soft c (c = /s/) |
|---|---|---|---|
Dictation sentences
- She had the knack of tying a knot without looking at her wrist.
- He chose to write about what was wrong with the plan.
- The gnat flew in a circle near the edge of the city park.
- The knight used his knife to kneel and carve his initial in the stone.
- She had to wrestle with the wrapping to open the box without causing a wreck.
Source: DfE English Appendix 1: Spelling (2013). All examples verified against Year 2 statutory content.