French Rules - Part 3

Even if I have had How to Spell Like a Champ since 2008, I just realized that the French rules take up the most pages of the etymology section.

Like in Latin, French words tend to avoid using the letter k.

Words with the "k" sound is spelled with a que. (examples: roquelaure, claque, cinque)

Words with the "g" sound at the end of the word is spell with a gue. (examples: gigue, fugue, morgue)

Words with the "el" sound at the end of the word can be spelled elle and el . (examples: chandelle, casquetel, nacelle, jumelle, morel)

Words with the schwa + the "l" sound are spelled with el. (examples: bevel, estoppel, enamel)

Words with the "w" + "oz" sound are spelled with oise. (examples: ardoise, bourgeoise, nicoise)

Words with the "n" + "y" sound are spelled gn. (examples: beignet, rognon, espagnole, guignolet)

Words with the "n" + "w" sound are spelled gnoi (examples: baignoire, peignoir)

Words with the schwa + "r" sound are spelled eur (examples: fleuron, siffleur, flaneur)

Words with the "il" sound are spelled ille (examples: coquille, quadrille, espadrille)


Silent Letters

The rules that annoyed me the most were silent letters (other than the long "a" sound and "ahn") . They do not annoy me anymore, but here are some:

Silent T: maillot, ouvert, griot
Silent S: coulis, apropos
Silent G: bersagliere
Silent X: faux, roux, bordereaux
Silent L: email (ay-mI)
Silent P: coup
Silent D: sangfroid

There are a lot more, so look them up.

The schwa + "r" sound is spelled re. such as oeuvre, ogre, and massacre.

Study all the French rules you can study, and you can do well. Remember to study the exceptions, too!