Got the C & G Woes?

Do you have trouble pronouncing or spelling words, especially new ones, that have C and G sounds?

If you answered “YES!” to that, you’re definitely not alone. These letters and their hard and soft sounds can cause a lot of trouble for learners.

Knowing how they work (why they are hard or soft) should help you not make those mistakes. Letter C C makes a hard sound when it comes in front of any letter other than e, i, or y.

Cartoon Cow Crack Porcupine Popcorn Uncle Recall Crumble Monocle

C makes a soft sound when it comes in front of e, i, or y.

Cereal Decent Circus Fallacy Pencil Cyan Fancy Facilitate Circumstance

Why aren’t the second Cs in circus or circumstance soft? They don’t come before an e, i, or y. Letter G G makes a hard sound when it comes in front of any letter other than e, i, or y.

Ground Galaxy Igloo Gullible Fragrance Glue Glacier Gong Google

G makes a soft sound (like the j in jelly) when it comes in front of e, i, or y.

Lounge Gene Ginger GIF Gigantic Giraffe Gymnastics Angelina Apology

Why isn’t the second G in gigantic soft? It doesn’t come before an e, i, or y. G Rules Exceptions Some words have a hard G even when the G comes in front of e, i, or y.

Geese Girl Baggy Giggle Get Giddy Gill Gift Geyser

These we just have to remember.