Podcast
Questions and Answers
Etymology helps explain the confusion between words with different origins.
Etymology helps explain the confusion between words with different origins.
True (A)
Silent letters in English words are always a recent addition to the language.
Silent letters in English words are always a recent addition to the language.
False (B)
The word 'privilege' has over 120 variant spellings recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary.
The word 'privilege' has over 120 variant spellings recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary.
True (A)
Dr Johnson followed the Latin source word for 'privilege', privilegium.
Dr Johnson followed the Latin source word for 'privilege', privilegium.
All French words have silent letters, according to the text.
All French words have silent letters, according to the text.
The word 'skeleton' was originally spelled as sceleton.
The word 'skeleton' was originally spelled as sceleton.
The spelling difference between 'stationary' and 'stationery' is due to a difference in the sound of the two endings.
The spelling difference between 'stationary' and 'stationery' is due to a difference in the sound of the two endings.
Words ending in -ent or -ant are known for their consistency in spelling.
Words ending in -ent or -ant are known for their consistency in spelling.
The pronunciation of 'nephew' shifted from /f/ to /v/ during the 19th century.
The pronunciation of 'nephew' shifted from /f/ to /v/ during the 19th century.
The spelling of words like 'scorn' and 'skin' depends on whether they originate from French or Latin languages.
The spelling of words like 'scorn' and 'skin' depends on whether they originate from French or Latin languages.
