Sound Right

/k/ — the K sound as in come, back, keep

Main spellings (~95%)

⟨c⟩ ~67%

The letter ⟨c⟩ makes the /k/ sound before ⟨a⟩, ⟨o⟩, ⟨u⟩, and consonants.

come can could call because class close country music public
C vs K rule: Use ⟨c⟩ for /k/ before ⟨a⟩, ⟨o⟩, ⟨u⟩ (cat, come, cup). Use ⟨k⟩ before ⟨e⟩, ⟨i⟩, ⟨y⟩ (keep, kind, sky). This prevents confusion with ⟨c⟩ → /s/.

⟨k⟩ ~19%

The letter ⟨k⟩ makes the /k/ sound before ⟨e⟩, ⟨i⟩, ⟨y⟩, and at the end of words.

keep kind know work week thank look book ask talk

⟨ck⟩ ~8%

Use ⟨ck⟩ after a short vowel at the end of a syllable.

back black quick stick lock rock check trick pick knock
When to use CK: After a short vowel sound in a one-syllable word, use ⟨ck⟩: back, sick, lock. After a long vowel or consonant, use just ⟨k⟩: make, milk, park.

⟨q(u)⟩ ~1%

The letter ⟨q⟩ (always followed by ⟨u⟩) makes /k/ as part of /kw/.

queen question quick quite

Unusual spellings (~5%)

⟨ch⟩

In words from Greek, ⟨ch⟩ makes /k/ instead of the usual /ʧ/.

school character chemical chorus stomach christmas technology architect

⟨cc⟩

Doubled ⟨c⟩ before ⟨a⟩, ⟨o⟩, ⟨u⟩.

account occur accept according accuse

⟨que⟩

From French — the ⟨ue⟩ is silent.

antique unique technique plaque boutique

⟨x⟩

The letter ⟨x⟩ contains /k/ as part of /ks/.

box next explain example exactly