Fascinating Fact:
In who, whose, whom, and whole, the w is silent. Say hoo, hoze, hoom, and hole, even though you still spell them with wh.
In 11 Plus English, wh can represent different sounds. Most wh words sound like w in what, but a few keep only an h sound, like who and whole. Knowing these patterns improves accurate spelling.
Key Terms
- Silent letter: A letter that is written but not pronounced, for example the w in who.
- Digraph: Two letters that represent one sound, such as wh, sh, or ch.
- Question words: Common wh words used to ask questions, like what, when, where, which, and why.
Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)
When is the w silent in wh words?
The w is silent in a small group including who, whom, whose, and whole. Most other wh words keep a clear w sound, like what and whale.
How do I choose between w and wh at the start of a word?
Question starters usually use wh (what, which, where). Compare pairs such as which vs witch to remember the spelling pattern.
Do accents change how wh is pronounced?
Some speakers pronounce wh slightly differently in pairs like which/witch, but the spellings are the same for everyone.
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