Questions tagged [letters-of-the-alphabet]
This tag is for questions about the letters of the alphabet.
30
questions
1
vote
1answer
51 views
Why do native speakers say '0' like 'O'?
I read this question (Should the number “0” be pronounced “zero” or “oh”?) and answers on English Language and Usage but my question is not the same as that one.
My question is basically why most ...
23
votes
5answers
21k views
The correct capital G and J in cursive
I've come across two versions of writing a capital G and a capital J in cursive. I cannot understand which one is correct because Wikipedia shows that the capital G from my textbook is, in fact, the ...
-1
votes
1answer
48 views
words that starts with c but does not sound as k [closed]
The title say it all, i'am looking for all the list of words which starts with c but does not sound as k, as many know most of the words that starts with c usally have a k sound in it, e.g cat,clam,...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
Is a group of letters a sentence? [closed]
Is a group of letters a sentence?
I am wondering if a group of a bunch of letters,
Is a Sentence?
Thank you!
1
vote
2answers
661 views
Latin letters VS English letters
How do you likely to say for non-English speaker to use letters from the English alphabet (e.g. to write down something or to create a nickname)?
Do you say use Latin letters or English letters?
2
votes
2answers
181 views
Why is R “ar” instead of “er”?
In the names of letters, the e is predominant: ef, em, el, es. Why is R different? Why ar instead of er?
0
votes
0answers
69 views
Is it “Zee” or “Zed”? [duplicate]
When is "z" pronounced "zee" and when "zed"?
From what I found out "zee" is AmE and "zed" is BrE. And in abbreviations the letter is always pronounced "zee" like in LZ (landing zone).
4
votes
1answer
133 views
Letter “s” in a shape of a sail
Sometimes in archaic books and in different scrolls, books and texts in old games I meet the letter "s" resembling a sail (Wikipedia article here calls it the cursive form).
Is it still used in ...
0
votes
1answer
4k views
A question about using articles before a single letter in the alphabet [duplicate]
I want to brush up my English and I just started to read some Grammar books.
When I read the section about how to use an article before a single letter, it says that we have to use "a" or "an" ...
1
vote
2answers
32 views
How to say that a word has many the same letters?
How to say that a word has many the same letters?
For example in the word "carrot" I should say:
two "R"s.
or
two r letters.
3
votes
2answers
877 views
Lowercase/capital Greek letters written in English
Consider two examples:
Gamma function written as Γ(n);
gamma-butyrolactone written as γ-butyrolactone.
Is there a rule which says how the lowercase and capital Greek letters must be reflected when ...
0
votes
1answer
183 views
C as “c” in all abbreviations or acronyms
Does letter "c" read as [c] in all abbreviations or acronyms?
BBC - company [k]
PC - computer [k]
RC - compiler [k]
Are there any abbreviations or acronyms where the letter C doesn't read as [c]?
1
vote
1answer
73 views
How to explain the pronunciations of brother and breakfast
My nephew is 4 and start reading a lot in English,his mother language is not English., he asked me why the “o” in the word brother is “∧" not "⊃" sorry I can't find how to type the letters, and ...
3
votes
1answer
6k views
Why does 'g' sometimes read as 'j'?
Most words with 'g' read as 'g'
Geek
Goose
Goods
Goal
But sometimes 'g' reads as 'j'
Gymnastics
Genesis
Genius
Genetic
And in the middle of a sentence, compare:
Log
Logistics
Or
Frag
Fragile
6
votes
3answers
4k views
How is “X” pronounced in English?
The letter x can sound (most often) like [gz] and [ks]:
[gz] in words like exam, exactly.
[ks] in word like extra, hexagon, etc.
I have found that x is pronounced [gz] whenever it’s in or before the ...
3
votes
2answers
218 views
What is the name of the sign used in English words derived from French words?
Consider:
cliché = a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.
blasé = unimpressed with or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so ...
5
votes
6answers
14k views
Differences between pronouncing the 'G' and 'J' in US/British English
I'm currently pronouncing:
g as /dgi/
j as /djay/
I'm not sure if this is the American or Britisch way to pronounce it.
If it depends on the choice of words, I was just singing the alphabet.
...
8
votes
5answers
75k views
What is the difference between a letter and a character?
Can anyone tell me the difference between a letter and a character in the English language ?
What I found so far:
letter is the basic unit of alphabet and
character is a symbol.
Is there any ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
What is it? I have 3S or I have 3Ss
If we have 3 'A' passes in an exam, We often say "I have 3As". But If we have 3 'S' passes, how to express it? I mean, is it correct to say "I have 3Ss"
If it's correct to say "I have 3Ss", how to ...
91
votes
7answers
74k views
Why does the i in “naïve” have two dots?
I have observed that the word naïve is written with two dots on the i. Why is this? Is it correct to write the word with a single dot, as in naive?
Are there any other English words with such two dots?...
2
votes
1answer
755 views
“Difference Between Times in Hours For Writing Letters”
What is the difference between '8:00 o'clock' and saying only '8' in writing letters?
When we can use the first one and when we can use the second one?
9
votes
2answers
2k views
The order of letters in the English alphabet
On what logical basis are the English letters in the alphabet (a, b, c, ... x, y, z serially arranged? Is there a pattern in the occurrence of vowels (a, e, i, o, and u)? Is the sequence they follow ...
4
votes
3answers
231 views
As what do you read this letter?
As what do you read the first letter in the picture above? Is it a Greek or an English?
3
votes
3answers
23k views
The pronunciation of the article “a”?
The word "a" has two pronunciations: (aa) when the mouth is widely opened and (ei) when the mouth is not wide open. I just want to know the difference between them.
People have asked questions like ...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
when typing a local musical instrument
Geomungo is a Korean musical instrument. When I type this word, do I have to use capital G, or small g as in guitar? For the instrument is used in quite a small area and has not that popularity like ...
3
votes
1answer
8k views
How to identify the correct pronunciation for letter “g” before “i” or “e”
It's really confusing when to be sure if the letter g is to be pronounced like giraffe or like girl. Both are followed by i. So how can we know the difference? On the other hand, we have gender and ...
2
votes
4answers
321 views
How to identify the sound of an “A” without altering the spelling of the word?
I have the word "Carr" (short for the name Carrie).
Is there a way to write the 'a' so that a person reading the word 'Carr' would pronounce it like care ('kær), opposed to pronouncing it like car (...
6
votes
5answers
10k views
What is the use of letter “Q” instead we can spell using letter “C” or “K”
This morning my son asked me the following question that I was unable to answer:
What is the point of the letter Q? Why can't we just always use C or K instead?
For example, "Question" ...
17
votes
3answers
88k views
How can I tell whether “c” should be pronounced like “s” or like “k”?
How can I tell whether "c" should be pronounced "s" or "k"? I always get confused and pronounce it like "s" because it looks like russian "с".
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Referring to letters of the alphabet
In Italian, letters can be referred to using their noun. For example, when speaking of the letter M, I could say La lettera emme è l'undicesima lettera dell'alfabeto italiano. (that is, "M is the 11th ...
